Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp 1611-MP thaler Dav-3690
This specimen was lot 5185 in Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG Auction 394 (Osnabruck, September 2023), where it sold for 1,800 EUR (about US$2,281 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN. HOLSTEIN-GOTTORP, HERZOGTUM. Johann Adolf, 1590-1616, Reichstaler 1611, Schleswig. 28,75 g. Mit Rosetten als Worttrennern auf der Vorderseite und SLEIS : HOL : S : - : E : DI : CO : O : E • DE in der Rückseitenlegende. Münzmeister Matz Puls. Feine Patina, sehr schön-vorzüglich. Erworben im August 2021 bei der Firma Podlaski Gabinet Numizmatyczny Marek Melcer, Bialystok, Polen. (duchy of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp, John Adolf, 1590-1616, thaler of 1611, Schleswig mint, with rosettes dividing the obverse legend and "SLEIS : HOL : S : - : E : DI : CO : O : E • DE" in the reverse legend. Mintmaster Matz Puls. Fine patina, very fine to extremely fine.)"
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 1611-12. Johann Adolf (b. 1575) was duke 1590-1616. The example originally posted here was moved to Dav-3689.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 28.96 g.
Catalog reference: KM 35, Lange 271 var., Dav-3690.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1600-1700, Galesburg, IL, 1974.
- Siegs Møntcatalog 2016: Danmark med Omrader, 48 ed., Frederikssund, Siegs Forlag ApS, 2015.
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