Pfalz 1611 thaler Dav-7182b
This specimen was lot 30320 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2015), where it sold for $25,850. The catalog description[1] noted,
"GERMANY. Pfalz-Electoral. Taler, 1611. Heidelberg Mint. Johann II von Zweibrucken, Regent (1610-14). PCGS AU-53 Secure Holder. Seldom offered Taler with a great portrait that is accentuated by tone within the recessed areas of the devices. Equally impressive reverse with crowned arms of Wittelsbach right, heraldic lion left and Globus cruciger below dividing date. Complete rims and denticles on both sides testify to the centering and quality of manufacture. Johann II son of Johann I, Count Palatine of Zweibrucken & Magdalena of Julich-Cleves-Berg and older brother to Friedrich Casimir and Johann Casimir. He succeeded his father in 1604 and then two years later in 1606 he reclaimed the lordship of Bischweiler for the house of Wittelsbach. In 1611 he executed the appendages of Landsberg and Neukastell to his younger brothers Friedrich and Johann respectively in favor of his father's disposition while keeping most of Zweibrucken for himself. He was also the guardian of Frederick V, elector Palatine between 1610 & 1612 who would go on to become the King of Bohemia (1619-1620). Due to his short reign Frederick V was nicknamed the "Winter King". Missing from nearly all major collections of Palatine issues including the Wolff collection (Leo Hamburger, 1929); the Memmesheimer collection (Munzzentrum, 1979); the Palatinate collection (UBS Zürich, 2006) Possibly your only opportunity to secure an example of this [e]lusive issue for many years to come. Impressive and EXTREMELY RARE. Pedigree: Ex: Peus Auction 1957, Noss II, no. 363."
Numerous thalers (Dav-7144, -7146, -7147, -7148, -7149, -7150, -7180, -7182, -7183, -7184) are listed in the SCWC for this reign, most too rare to have a photo.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver.
Catalog reference: Dav-7182b; KM-43.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Davenport, John S., German Secular Talers, 1600-1700, Frankfurt: Numismatischer Verlag, 1976.
- [1]Ponterio, Richard, The August 2015 Chicago ANA Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, Irvine, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2015.
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