Strasbourg 1604 1/3 thaler
This specimen was lot 1114 in Jean Elsen sale 137 (Brussels, June 2018), where it sold for €160 (about US$223 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, STRASBOURG, Evêché, Charles de Lorraine (1593-1607), AR teston (quart d'écu), 1604. D/ B. à g. en habit épiscopal. R/ ·ALSAS· LANDGRA· Armoiries sous le chapeau de cardinal. Belle patine. Brisure du coin au droit. Superbe. (bishopric of Strasbourg, Charles of Lorraine, 1593-1607, silver teston or quarter thaler of 1604. Obverse: bust to left in bishop's gown; reverse: arms under the cardinal's hat. Nice patina, die break on obverse. Extremely Fine.)"
This type was issued by the bishop 1602-08. The city of Strasbourg, strongly Protestant, issued its own coins but no third thalers. Strasbourg was annexed to France in 1681.
Recorded mintage: unknown but not expensive.
Specification: 9.14 g, silver, this specimen 8,36 g.
Catalog reference: B. 1322; Engel-Lehr 243, KM-244.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Roberts, James N., The Silver Coins of Medieval France (476-1610 AD), S. Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1996.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 137, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2018.
Link to:
- Strasbourg 1590 1/2 thaler
- Strasbourg c.1601 ducat Fr-234
- Metz 1605 testone
- bishop of Strasbourg (1608) 1/3 thaler = teston
- Coins and currency dated 1604
- return to coins of German States, Strassbourg