Mansfeld-Schraplau (15)95-GM 1/2 thaler
This specimen was lot 5325 in Künker sale 386 (Osnabrück, March 2023), where it sold for €1,200 (about US$1,551 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"MANSFELD-SCHRAPLAU, GRAFSCHAFT, Heinrich II. 1595-1602. 1/2 Reichstaler 1595, Eisleben. Äußerst selten in dieser Erhaltung. Ungewöhnlich scharf ausgeprägtes Exemplar mit hübscher Patina, vorzüglich-Stempelglanz. Exemplar der Auktion WAG Online 116, Februar 2021, Nr. 802. (county of Mansfeld-Schraplau, Henry II, 1595-1602, half thaler of 1595, Eisleben mint. Extremely rare in this condition. Unusually sharp specimen with nice patina, extremely fine to uncirculated.)"
Mansfeld and its subdivisions were counties of utmost insignificance except for its silver mines which provided the material for an abundance of thalers. On the death of Heinrich II in 1602, the county passed to Eigentliche-Hinterort. This type was struck 1595-98 and is common.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 14.50 g.
Catalog reference: KM MB91, Tornau 1002 a/e.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- Nicol, N. Douglas, Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of German Coins, 1501-Present, 3rd ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
- [1]Künker, Fritz Rudolf, Horst-Rudiger Künker, Ulrich Künker and Andreas Kaiser, Katalog 386: Brakteaten | Mainz | Bibliothek Prof. Dr. Niklot Klüßendorf | Mittelalter und Neuzeit | Goldprägungen | Deutsche Münzen ab 1871, Osnabrück: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co., AG, 2023.
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