Saxony 1696-EPH 2/3 thaler
This specimen was lot 1001 in Jean Elsen sale 165 (Brussels, June 2026), where it sold for €240 (about US$331 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ALLEMAGNE, SAXE, Friedrich August Ier (1694-1733), AR 2/3 Taler, 1696 EPH, Leipzig. D/ B. cuirassé à d. R/ Armoiries. Très Beau. (Germany, electorate of Saxony, Frederick Augustus I, 1694-1733, silver two-thirds thaler of 1696, Leipzig mint. Obverse: armored bust right; reverse: arms. Very Fine.)"
This two-thirds thaler or gulden was struck 1694-97 and is fairly common. It was superseded in 1697 by KM 685, which added the arms of Poland to the reverse. That type was struck until 1705. The elector would waste the wealth of Saxony trying to hold the throne of Poland.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, 35 mm diameter, this specimen 17,03 g.
Catalog reference: KM 655, Kohl 360; Dav-818.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Davenport, John S., Silver Gulden, 1559-1763, Frankfurt am Main, Numismatischer Verlag P. N. Schulten, 1982.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 165, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2026.
Link to:
- 1695-EPH ⅔ thaler
- 1696-IK quarter thaler
- 1696-IK ⅔ thaler
- 1696 thaler, bust obverse
- 1696 thaler, birth of the new prince
- 1696-IK quarter ducat
- 1696 double ducat, on the elector's departure for the campaign against the Turks in Hungary
- 1696 double ducat, on the elector's departure for the campaign against the Turks in Hungary
- 1697-IK ⅔ thaler
- Coins and currency dated 1696