Saxe-Jena 1678 thaler Dav-7495
This specimen was lot 396 in Sincona Auction 103 (Zürich, May 2026), where it sold for 9,000 CHF (about US$13,716 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"DEUTSCHLAND Sachsen-Jena, Herzogtum, Bernhard, 1662-1678. Taler 1678, Weimar. Auf seinen Tod am 3. Mai. Von grösster Seltenheit. Prachtvolle Erhaltung. Das Begräbnis fand erst 6 Wochen nach dem Tode statt. Die Verhandlungen, die sich an die Testamentseröffnung zwischen der Herzogswitwe und seinem Bruder Johann Ernst anschlossen, dauerten den ganzen Mai über. Das durch NGC höchstbewertete Exemplar. (Germany, duchy of Saxe-Jena, Bernard, 1662-78, thaler of 1678, Weimar mint, on his death May 3. Of the highest rarity. NGC MS62, Magnificent condition, Finest certified by NGC. The funeral did not take place until six weeks after the death. The negotiations that followed the opening of the will—between the Dowager Duchess and his brother, Johann Ernst—lasted throughout the entire month of May.)"
Wikipedia comments, "The Duchy of Saxe-Jena was one of the Saxon Duchies held by the Ernestine line of the Wettin Dynasty. Established in 1672 for Bernhard, fourth son of Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Weimar, Saxe-Jena was reincorporated into Saxe-Weimar on the extinction of Bernhard's line in 1690." This commemorative was accompanied by a half thaler and quarter thaler. Bernard had five children by his French wife and a daughter by his mistress, whom he "married" in 1674.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver.
Catalog reference: KM 21, Frede 14, Schnee 410, Dav-7495.
- 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.
- Gernot Schnee, Sächsiche Taler, 1500-1800. Frankfurt Am Main, P. N. Schulten, 1982.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, Michael Hardmeier, Michael Otto, Arne Kirsch, Ruedi Kunzmann and Timur Demirai, SINCONA Auction 103: World and Swiss coins and medals, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2026.
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