Mansfeld-Schraplau 1555 thaler Dav-9517
This specimen was lot 320 in Sincona Auction 103 (Zürich, May 2026), where it sold for 375 CHF (about US$572 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"DEUTSCHLAND Mansfeld, Grafschaft, Hinterortische Linie Schraplau, Gebhard VII., Johann Georg I. und Peter Ernst I. 1547-1558. Taler 1555, Eisleben. Münzzeichen Weinblatt. Sehr schön. (Germany, county of Mansfeld, Hinterort-Schraplau line, Gebhard VIII, John George I and Peter Ernest I, 1547-55, thaler of 1555, Eisleben mint. Very Fine.)"
It seems the various branches of the Mansfeld line all lived in Schloss Mansfeld but occupied different parts: Vorderort (outer castle), Mittelort (middle castle) and Hinterort (inner castle). The properties were shuffled among the various lines as various counts failed to produce heirs. In 1580, the elector of Saxony seized most of the property for debt. This thaler was struck 1554-55.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 28.33 g.
Catalog reference: KM MB33, Tornau 926g/f. Dav-9517.
- Davenport, John S., German Talers, 1500-1600, Frankfurt am Main, Numismatischer Verlag P. N. Schulten, 1979.
- Nicol, N. Douglas, Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of German Coins, 1501-Present, 3rd ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, Michael Hardmeier, Michael Otto, Arne Kirsch, Ruedi Kunzmann and Timur Demirai, SINCONA Auction 103: World and Swiss coins and medals, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2026.
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