Transylvania 1605 3 groschen
This specimen was lot 1244 in Jean Elsen sale 165 (Brussels, June 2026), where it sold for €170 (about US$234 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SAINT EMPIRE, TRANSYLVANIE (SIEBENBÜRGEN), Stephan Bocskai (1604-1606), AR 3 Groschen, 1605. D/ B. cuir. à d. R/ Trois écus sur une inscription en quatre lignes. Beau à Très Beau. (Holy Roman Empire, Transylvania, Stephen Bocskai, 1604-06, silver three groschen of 1605. Obverse: armored bust right; reverse: three escutcheons over an inscription in four 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 1605-06 only altho Numista adds the dates 1607 and 1609.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 2.0-2.6 g, silver, this specimen 2,00 g.
Catalog reference: KM 8, Resch 20.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- 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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