Schlick 1627-IC 1/4 thaler
This specimen was lot 3057 in Sincona sale 87 (Zürich, October 2023), where it sold for 4,250 CHF (about US$5,723 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"RDR / ÖSTERREICH Schlick, Grafschaft, Heinrich IV. 1612-1650. 1/4 Taler 1627, Plan bei Marienbad. Mit Titel Ferdinands II. Mit der Münzmeistersignatur IC (Johann Candler von Atzenzoll, Münzmeister in Plan, 1627-1641). Von grösster Seltenheit. Sehr schön. (county of Schlick, Henry IV, 1612-50, quarter thaler of 1627, Plan mint, struck in the name of Ferdinand II, with minmaster's initials IC. Of the highest rarity, Very fine.)"
The counts of Schlick in Bohemia were the original proprietors of the mint at Joachimsthal, where the first "thalers" were struck. However, by the seventeenth century the counts had long since lost the mine and only a few scarce pieces were struck. This type, unlisted in the SCWC, accompanied KM 7 (half thaler), KM 8.1 (thaler) and KM 17 (10 ducat). Wikipedia comments,
"Count Heinrich von Schlick zu Bassano und Weißkirchen (1580 – 5 January 1650, Vienna) was an Imperial Field Marshal and president of the Hofkriegsrat. As a young man, he fought in Hungary under Giorgio Basta for Rudolf II against Stephen Bocskay's revolt until 1604. As a Lutheran, he sided with the Protestant Bohemians at the beginning of the Bohemian phase of the Thirty Years War, when the province was overrun by Imperial forces. As a competent officer his advice was often overlooked, especially at the Battle of White Mountain that took place on November 8, 1620. The battle was a defeat for the Protestant Bohemians. After the defeat he changed to the Imperial side."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 7.13 g.
Catalog reference: KM unlisted, Smetana/Jakymenkova C21. Slg. Donebauer -.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 87, World Coins and Medals, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2023.
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