Pfalz 1700-IL thaler Dav-7179
This specimen was lot 981 in Jean Elsen sale 121 (Brussels, June 2014), where it sold for €7,500 (about US$12,013 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
" ALLEMAGNE, PALATINAT-NEUBURG, Johann Wilhelm (1690-1716), AR Taler, 1700 IL, Heidelberg (Johann Linck). Droit: B. drapé et cuirassé à droite, coiffé d'une grande perruque. Revers: Grand écu ovale couronné, entouré du collier de la Toison d'or. Extrêmement Rare. Très beau portrait baroque. Superbe. (Germany, electorate of Pfalz-Neuburg, John William (1690-1716). silver thaler of 1700, Heidelberg mint. Obverse: draped and armored bust to right wearing full wig; reverse: crowned oval arms, Order of the Golden Fleece around. Extremely rare, very handsome baroque portrait, extremely fine.)"
Thalers from Pfalz are generally scarce and this one-year type is no exception. Wikipedia comments,
"Johann Wilhelm II, Elector Palatine (1658 – 1716) of the Wittelsbach dynasty was Elector Palatine (1690–1716), Duke of Neuburg (1690–1716), Duke of Jülich and Berg (1679–1716), and Duke of Upper Palatinate and Cham (1707–1714). From 1697 onwards Johann Wilhelm was also Count of Megen."
The Palatinate's proximity to France meant that it was invaded and devastated several times by the armies of Louis XIV, possibly explaining the rarity of his thalers. Johann Wilhelm spent much of his reign in Jülich and Berg, closer to the Netherlands.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 29,17 g.
Catalog reference: KM 150, Exter, I, 330, 320; Slg. Memmesheimer 2387; Dav-7179.
- 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.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 121, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2014.
Link to:
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- return to coins of German States, Pfalz