Saxony (1500-07) schreckenberger
This specimen was lot 1275 in Jean Elsen sale 149 (Brussels, December 2021), where it sold for €120 (about US$163 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ALLEMAGNE, SAXE, Friedrich III, Georg et Johann (1500-1507), AR Schreckenberger (Engelgroschen), s.d., Annaberg. Différent: étoile. D/ Ecu tenu par un ange. R/ Ecu écartelé. Très Beau. (Germany, duchy of Saxony, Frederick III, George and John, 1500-07, undated silver schreckenberger or engelgroschen, Annaberg mint. Privy mark: star. Obverse: arms supported by an angel; reverse: quartered arms. Very Fine.)"
The schreckenberger or engelgroschen was a denomination briefly popular around the turn of the sixteenth century. Nominally equal to twelve kreuzer, they should have the weight of one-fifth thaler altho this example weighs about one-seventh of a thaler. Schreckenbergers were also struck at the Buchholz and Nurnberg mints. Only a few are dated. The star in the legends is the mark of mintmaster Heinrich Stein. This one (KM MB56) has obverse legend "*FRIDERICVS: GEORGIVS: IOHANN" while the slightly later KM MB86 has "+FRIDERICVS·IOHANNES·GEORGIVS". Joint coinages were frequent during the early stages of the division between the Ernestine and Albertine dukes; the Ernestine branch splintered after 1554 into the Saxon duchies.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 3,96 g.
Catalog reference: KM MB56, Keilitz-Kohl 25.
- Nicol, N. Douglas, Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of German Coins, 1501-Present, 3rd ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 149: Monnaies, Médailles et Décorations, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2021.
Link to: