Transylvania 1660-CB thaler Dav-4761

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Sincona sale 25, lot 2106

This specimen was lot 2106 in Sincona sale 25 (Zürich, October 2015), where it sold for 18,000 CHF (about US$22,234 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,

"Achatius Barcsai, 1659-1660 Taler 1660. Hermannstadt Emergency coin minted during George Rákoczis' siege of the city. (Rose) ACHATIVS·BARCSAI·D·G: P:T:PA·RE·HV:DO:SICO Crowned arms on decorations, date to the sides. Rev. DEVS / PROVI / DEBIT in double inscription. Extremely rare. Good very fine. Attractive patina."

Like most coins of Transylvania, this type (struck 1660 only) is rare and expensive. As Transylvania was never part of the Holy Roman Empire and was not at this point controlled by the Hapsburgs, we have not included it in the "silver thalers of Germany." Achatius Barcsai was a short-lived Ottoman puppet in the three-way war between the Austrians, the Turks and the native elite. The SCWC notes many varieties for 1660, including Dav-4756, -4757, -4757A, -4758, -4759, -4762, -4763, -4764 and -4765.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: silver, this specimen 28.69 g.

Catalog reference: Resch 7. Dav-4761, KM A330.

Source:

  • Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
  • Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1600-1700, Galesburg, IL, 1974.
  • [1]Richter, Jürg, Ruedi Kunzmann and Arne Kirsch, Numismatic Rarities, Auction 25, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2015.

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