Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp (15)96 1/16 thaler
This specimen was lot 2976 in Steve Album Auction 53 (Santa Rosa, CA, September 2025), where it sold for $95. The catalog description[1] noted, "SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN-GOTTORP: Johann Adolf, 1590-1616, AR 1/16 thaler (15)96, obverse legend ends ...SCLE., reverse legend ends .SCHLES., somewhat uneven strike, traces of luster, VF-XF, S, ex H. G. Oldenburg." The dukes of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp were a cadet branch of the house of Oldenburg, which ruled Denmark. They divided the rule of Schleswig-Holstein between them and the history of the duchies is the story of their quarrels and feuds. Eventually the ducal title passed to Peter III of Russia in 1762 who determined to use the Russian army to reconquer his province. This diversion of Russian resources was one of the causes of his ouster and murder in that year and his widow, Catherine the Great, sold his rights to the Danish, finally ending the argument after two centuries. This type was struck 1594-1605, mostly with two digit dates, and was equal to a double schilling. Johann Adolf (b. 1575) was duke 1590-1616.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, 28 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-5, Lange-281a.
- Nicol, N. Douglas, Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of German Coins, 1501-Present, 3rd ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
- Siegs Møntcatalog 2016: Danmark med Omrader, 48 ed., Frederikssund, Siegs Forlag ApS, 2015.
- [1]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Hanbing Feng, Auction 53, featuring Selections from the Dr. Robert A. Rosenfeld, Almer H. Orr III, Dr. Dirk Loer and Joe Sedillot Collections, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2025.
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