Schlick (1520) groschen
This specimen was lot 1774 in Sincona sale 90 (Zürich, May 2024), where it sold for 2,800 CHF (about US$3,700 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"RDR / ÖSTERREICH, Schlick, Grafschaft, Stephan, Burian, Hieronymus II., Mathias, Wolfgang, Heinrich III., Caspar, Laurenz, 1487-1528. Prager Groschen o. J. (ab 1520), Joachimsthal. Mit Titel Ludwigs II., König von Ungarn und Böhmen. Sehr selten. Sehr schön. (Austrian states, county of Schlick, Stephen, Burian, Jerome II, Matthias, Wolfgang, Henry III, Caspar and Laurence, 1487-1528, undated prager groschen, circa 1520, Joachimsthal mint, struck in the name of Louis II, king of Hungary and Bohemia. Very rare, Very fine.)"
Silver was discovered in 1516 in the Ore Mountains and a boom town, St. Joachimsthal, quickly sprung up. The counts of Schlick established a mint there and struck the first "joachimsthalers", quickly shortened to just "thalers". Bohemia passed from the king of Hungary to the Hapsburgs in 1526 and the counts found their mint confiscated. This groschen or three kreuzer was struck during the initial bonanza period.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 2.44 g.
Catalog reference: Castelin S. 56, Abb. 2, Slg. Donebauer 992f.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 90, Münzen und Medaillen der Welt, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2024.
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