Werden and Helmstaedt 1698 thaler Dav-5931
The first specimen was lot 1409 in Künker sale 263 (Osnabrück, June 2015), where it sold for €1,200 (about US$1,550 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"WERDEN UND HELMSTEDT, ABTEI Ferdinand von Erwitte, 1670-1706. Reichstaler 1698. R Attraktives Exemplar mit hübscher Patina, sehr schön +. (abbey of Werden and Helmstedt, Fredinand of Erwitte, 1670-1706, thaler of 1698. Scarce, attractive, toned, very fine or better.)
Die Mariendarstellung auf diesem Taler entspricht dem Gnadenbild in der Wallfahrtskirche in Neviges (Kreis Mettmann). Die dortigen Wallfahrten mit der Verehrung des Gnadenbildes begannen mit einer Dankwallfahrt am 15.10.1681, die der Fürstbischof von Paderborn und Münster Ferdinand von Fürstenberg aus Dankbarkeit für seine Genesung von schwerer Krankheit veranstaltete. An dieser Wallfahrt nahm auch der Landesherr, der Herzog von Jülich und Berg, Kurfürst Johann Wilhelm (Jan Wellem) von Pfalz-Neuburg, teil (vgl. hierzu den Artikel von Heinz Pielsticker: "Die Madonnendarstellung auf dem Taler der Abtei Werden und Helmstedt aus dem Jahre 1698 und das Gnadenbild in der Wallfahrtskirche zu Hardenberg-Neviges", in Berichte 84, 1974, S. 2069-2072. (The image of the Virgin Mary on this taler corresponds to the miraculous image at the pilgrimage church in Neviges (Mettmann). The local pilgrimages with the veneration of the miraculous image began with a pilgrimage of thanks in October 1681, organized by the Prince Bishop of Paderborn and Münster Ferdinand von Fürstenberg out of gratitude for his recovery from serious illness. This pilgrimage was also attended by the sovereign, the Duke of Jülich and Berg, Elector Johann Wilhelm (Jan Wellem) of Pfalz-Neuburg, (see the article by Heinz Pielsticker, "The Madonnas representation on the coins of Werden Abbey and Helmstedt from 1698 and the miraculous image in the Sanctuary to Hardenberg-Neviges", in reports 84, 1974, p 2069-2072.)"
The second specimen was lot 31468 in Heritage sale 3107 (Chicago, May 2023), where it sold for $2,040. The catalog description[1] noted, "German States. Werden & Helmstedt. Ferdinand Taler 1698 XF45 PCGS. A lesser-seen type with few appearances in the auction floors, the present offering showing honest wear and a pleasing tone to the well-defined motifs." Werden and Helmstaedt were two widely separated abbeys in Germany; Werden in the Ruhr valley on the border of the duchy of Berg and Helmstaedt in the duchy of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. A series of very rare thalers (Dav-5918 thru -5931) were struck for them in the seventeenth century. The abbeys were annexed by Prussia in 1803.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver.
Catalog reference: Dav-5931; Grote 49, KM-62.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Davenport, John S., German Church and City Talers, 1600-1700, Galesburg, IL, 1967.
- [1]Künker Münzauktionen und Goldhandel, Catalog 263, The Friedrich Popken collection of gold and silver coinages | Coins and Medals from Medieval and Modern Times, a. o. the collection of Ernst Otto Horn, part III, Osnabrück: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co., AG, 2015.
- [2]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, 2023 May 3 - 5 CSNS World Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction #3107, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2023.
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