Ostfriesland (15)74 1/2 thaler
This specimen was lot 2251 in Künker Auction 425 (Osnabrück, July 2025), where it sold for €2,000 (about US$2,832 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"DEUTSCHE MÜNZEN UND MEDAILLEN · OSTFRIESLAND, GRAFSCHAFT, SEIT 1654/1662 FÜRSTENTUM Edzard II. und Johann, 1566-1591. 1/2 Reichstaler 1574, Emden.Von großer Seltenheit. Feine Patina, kl. Kratzer und Randfehler, sehr schön. Exemplar der Lagerliste Münzen und Medaillen AG 235, Basel 1963, Nr. 129 und der Auktion Winter 26, Düsseldorf 1973, Nr. 753 b. (Germany, county of East Friesland, Edzard II and John, 1566-91, half thaler of 1574, Emden mint. Extremely rare, fine patina, light scratches and edge defects, very fine.)"
This windswept, poverty stricken province had little call for thalers. Edzard spent most of his reign in disputes with his brother Johann and the city of Emden (he was Lutheran while the city was Calvinist). Edzard died in 1599, aged 66 years. This type was struck 1568-70, 1573-74, 1582-84, 1589, 1592 and is rare.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specifications: silver, this specimen 14,35 g.
Catalog reference: KM MB84, Kappelhoff 264.
- 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 425: Gold coins from the Medieval and Modern Times, from the Mohr family collection, e.g. | Silver coins, e.g. highlights of medallic art | German coins after 1871, Osnabrück: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co., AG, 2025.
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