Prussia 1539 groschen
This specimen was lot 1883 in Goldberg sale 128 (Los Angeles, June 2022), where it sold for $72. The catalog description[1] noted, "German States: Prussia. Groschen, 1539. Bust of Albrecht v. Brandenburg right. Reverse: Eagle. NGC graded EF-40." Prussia was merged with Brandenburg only upon the extinction of Albrecht's line in 1618. Those Teutonic knights who remained Catholic were exiled and returned to Germany, where the knights had estates. This type was struck 1529-50 and 1558 and is common.
Wikipedia comments, "Albert of Prussia (German: Albrecht von Preussen; 17 May 1490 – 20 March 1568) was a German prince who was the 37th Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights, who after converting to Lutheranism, became the first ruler of the Duchy of Prussia, the secularized state that emerged from the former Monastic State of the Teutonic Knights. Albert was the first European ruler to establish Lutheranism, and thus Protestantism, as the official state religion of his lands. He proved instrumental in the political spread of Protestantism in its early stage, ruling the Prussian lands for nearly six decades (1510–1568)."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, 23-24 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM MB3, Saurma-5055.
- Cuhaj, George S., Thomas Michael and Douglas Nicol, Standard Catalog of German Coins, 1501-Present, 3rd Ed. Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- [1]Goldberg, Ira, Larry Goldberg, Stephen Harvey and Vera Liu, Goldberg Sale 128: the Pre-Long Beach Auction, Los Angeles: Goldberg Coins and Collectibles, 2022.
Link to:
- Prussia 1531 groschen, Sigismund
- Prussia 1538 groschen, Albrecht
- Prussia 1540 groschen, Albrecht
- Coins and currency dated 1539