Munster 1661 thaler Dav-5603
The first specimen was lot 24790 in Heritage sale 3015 (Long Beach, September 2011), where it sold for $1,610. The catalog description[1] noted, "Munster. Christof Bernhard Taler 1661, MS63 NGC, splendid old-time patina with well-struck details including a panoramic view of the city, small natural edge flaw at 2 o'clock, as struck." The second specimen was lot 5334 in Künker sale 386 (Osnabrück, March 2023), where it sold for €2,400 (about US$3,101 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"MÜNSTER, BISTUM, Christoph Bernhard von Galen, 1650-1678. Breiter Reichstaler 1661, Münster, auf die Einnahme der Stadt. Attraktives Exemplar mit feiner Patina, vorzüglich. (bishopric of Münster, Christoph Bernhard von Galen, 1650-78, broad thaler of 1661, Munster mint, on the capture of the city. Attractive example with fine patina, extremely fine.)"
The third specimen was lot 105 in Schulman auction 389 (Amsterdam, December 2025), where it sold for €1,700 (about US$2,396 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[3] noted, "German States - Breiter Reichstaler 1661, Silver, CHRISTOPH BERNHARD von Galen 1650-1678, MUNSTER St. Paul over cityscape. Rev. helmeted arms. Ex Cherry Tree Collection. PCGS AU55." All the thalers of Münster are scarce but this one is perhaps the most available.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, the second specimen 28,98 g, the third specimen 27.71 g.
Catalog reference: KM 75, Dav-5603; Schulze 106 e; Dethlefs A/a.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Davenport, John S., German Church and City Talers, 1600-1700, Galesburg, IL, 1967.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach and Warren Tucker, Heritage World Coin Auction 3015, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2011.
- [2]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.
- [3]Absil, Andrew, Olle Cederholm, Erik de Visser and Rik van Noorloos, Schulman sale 389: Ex Cherry Tree Collection, Amsterdam: Schulman b.v., 2025.
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