Teutonic Order 1515 groschen
This specimen was lot 955 in Jean Elsen sale 165 (Brussels, June 2026), where it sold for €420 (about US$578 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ALLEMAGNE, ORDRE TEUTONIQUE, Albert de Brandebourg (1511-1525), AR Groschen, 1515. D/ Aigle éployée, t. à g., marquée de l'écu de Zollern. R/ SALVA NOS DOMNA Écu du grand maître posé une long croix coupant la légende. Très Beau. (Germany, Teutonic Order, Albert of Brandenburg, 1511-25, silver groschen of 1515. Obverse: eagle displayed, head left, supporting the arms of Zollern; reverse: arms of the grandmaster posed over a long cross dividing the legend. Very Fine.)"
This groschen or three kreuzer was struck 1512-19. Albert, grandmaster of the Teutonic Order, converted to Lutheranism in 1525 and seized the Order's domain in Prussia for himself. Those knights not wishing to become his vassals were forced to retreat to the Order's estates in Wurttemberg. Prussia was united with Brandenburg in 1618 on the extinction of his line.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 1,54 g.
Catalog reference: KM MB 8, Neumann 34; Dudik p. 113.
- Nicol, N. Douglas, Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of German Coins, 1501-Present, 3rd ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 165, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2026.
Link to: