Saxe-Weimar 1610-WA 1/2 thaler
This specimen was lot 1524 in Jean Elsen sale 144 (Brussels, March 2020), where it sold for €220 (about US$290 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ALLEMAGNE, SAXE-WEIMAR, Johann Ernst et ses frères (1605-1626), AR demi-Taler, 1610WA, Saalfeld. D/ Quatre b. de f. En dessous, inscription en trois lignes. R/ Quatre b. de f. En dessous, inscription en trois lignes. Très Beau. (Germany, duchy of Saxe-Weimar, John Ernest and his brothers, 1605-26, silver half thaler of 1610, Saalfeld mint. Obverse: four facing busts, three line inscription below; reverse: four more busts facing, three line inscription below. Very Fine.)"
This type was struck 1608-11 in Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach and is fairly common for a half thaler. The eight brothers depicted were co-rulers of the tiny state; the last one, William IV, died in 1662. Saxe-Middle Weimar existed only for 1605-40 before being partitioned by the surviving brothers. KM 1 (thaler) also equals Dav-7523.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver.
Catalog reference: KM 4 or KM 8, Schnee 341; Dav-7523.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 144, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2020.
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