Saxe-Saalfeld 1717 groschen
This specimen was lot 1528 in Goldberg Sale 146 (Los Angeles, July 2025), where it sold for $228. The catalog description[1] noted, "German States: Saxe-Saalfeld. Reformation Groschen, 1717. On the anniversary of the Reformation. Bust of Johann Ernst in armor facing right. Reverse: Bust of Luther in a priest's robe turned slightly to the left, pointing to the Bible in his left hand, divided year 15-17. Pop 1; The only one graded at PCGS. Reflective fields. PCGS graded AU-55. The Augustana Collection." This is not an issue of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, that state not coming into existence until 1735. It is from its immediate predecessor Saxe-Saalfeld, whose duke obtained Coburg in that year. For this occasion, the duke also issued a quarter thaler, a thaler (Dav-2738A) and a ducat (Fr-3004). Numerous other German issues marked the bicentennial.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver.
Catalog reference: KM-37; Whiting-291.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Goldberg, Ira, Stephen Harvey and Vera Kan, Goldberg Sale 146: US Coins & Currency, Ancient & World Coins, featuring The Americas Collection, The Henry Garrett Collection & The Augustana Collection, Los Angeles: Goldberg Coins and Collectibles, 2025.
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