Transylvania 1598 3 groschen
This specimen was lot 1243 in Jean Elsen sale 165 (Brussels, June 2026), where it sold for €260 (about US$358 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SAINT EMPIRE, TRANSYLVANIE (SIEBENBÜRGEN), Sigismond Bathory (1581-1602), AR 3 Groschen, 1598. D/ B. cuir. à d. R/ Écu sur une inscription en 5 lignes. Beau à Très Beau. (Holy Roman Empire, Transylvania, Sigismond Bathory (1581-1602), silver three groschen of 1598. Obverse: armored bust right; reverse: escutcheon over an inscription in five lines. Fine - Very Fine.)"
The princes of Transylvania were sandwiched between the Ottoman Empire to the south and the Hapsburg dominions to the west and attempted to maintain independence from both. The Hapsburgs reconquered Hungary from the Turks in the 1680's and ended Transylvanian autonomy. This three garas was struck 1598 only.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 2.23 g, silver, this specimen 2,41 g.
Catalog reference: Resch 253.
- Adolf Resch, Siebenburgische Münzen und Medaillen von 1538 bis Gegenwart. Hermannstadt, 1901 (reprinted in Montreal, 1965).
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 165, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2026.
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