Prussia 1540 groschen
This specimen was lot 75504 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $288. The catalog description[1] noted, "POLAND. East Prussia. Grosch, 1540. Sigismund I. PCGS MS-62. A lovely example, this near-Choice specimen glows with a sharp luster and fully argent brilliance. The legends are sharply struck, with full details throughout. Escaping any evidence of handling or wear, this Grosch is sure to impress all those who view it." 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)." Prussia was merged with Brandenburg only upon the extinction of his 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.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver.
Catalog reference: KM MB3, Kop-3781.
- Cuhaj, George S., Thomas Michael and Douglas Nicol, Standard Catalog of German Coins, 1501-Present, 3rd Ed. Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The November 2022 Collectors Choice Ancient & World Coins Auction, Featuring the Pat Johnson Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
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