View source for Orsini-Rosenberg 1793 thaler Dav-1192

[[Image:Orsini-Rosenberg K335-4877.jpg|550px|thumb|Künker sale 335, lot 4877]]

This specimen was lot 4877 in Künker sale 335 (Osnabrück, Germany, March 2020), where it sold for €15,000 (about US$19,629 including buyer's fees). The catalog description<sup>[1]</sup> noted, <blockquote>"''RÖMISCH-DEUTSCHES REICH. DIE ÖSTERREICHISCHEN STANDESHERREN, ORSINI-ROSENBERG, Franz Xaver, 1739-1796, Fürst seit 1790. Konv.-Taler 1793, Wien. Büste r.//Zwei Bären halten das Familienwappen (Rose), umher die Kette des Orden vom Goldenen Vlies, dahinter gekrönter Hermelinmantel. Mit Blätterrand. Von großer Seltenheit. Prachtexemplar. Erstabschlag, fast Stempelglanz (prooflike), Mit der Bewertung der NGC (Photo Cert) MS 64 PL (5774790-003).'' ([[Austria|Holy Roman Empire]], counts of Orsini-Rosenberg, Francis Xavier, 1739-96, prince since 1790, convention thaler of 1793, Vienna mint. Obverse: bust right; reverse: two bears support the crowned and mantled family arms, Order of the Golden Fleece around. Very rare, cabinet piece, first strike, about uncirculated.)
<p>''Wolfgang Franz Xaver von Orsini-Rosenberg war ein vertrauter Freund des Kaisers Josef II. und bekleidete noch unter Franz II. 1792 das Amt des Staats- und Konferenzministers. Anläßlich der Frankfurter Krönung Leopolds II. wurde er von diesem im Oktober 1790 in den Reichsfürstenstand erhoben. Holzmair wies darauf hin, daß das Wiener Münzkabinett die Stempel zu dem vorliegenden Konventionstaler verwahrt, daß der Taler jedoch nie zur Ausprägung gelangt sei. Geschnitten wurden die Stempel von Johann Nepumuk Wirt, der in der Wiener Münzstätte als leitender Stempelschneider von 1778 bis zu seinem Tod 1811 arbeitete. Hier liegt eine Originalprägung von 1793 mit dem zeittypischen Blätterrand vor, während sonst meist Nachprägungen von 1853 mit glattem Rand angeboten werden.'' (Wolfgang Franz Xaver von Orsini-Rosenberg was a trusted friend of the Emperor Josef II and was still Minister of State and Conference under Franz II in 1792. On the occasion of the coronation of Leopold II in Frankfurt, he was elevated to the rank of imperial prince in October 1790. Holzmair pointed out that the Vienna Coin Cabinet kept the dies for the thaler in question, but that the thaler never came into being. The dies were cut by Johann Nepumuk Wirt, who worked at the Vienna Mint as a senior engraver from 1778 until his death in 1811. There is an original striking from 1793 with the contemporary decorated edge, while restrikes from 1853 with a smooth edge are usually offered.)"</p></blockquote> The SCWC notes the 1853 restrike but apparently originals exist as well. Several other Austrian princes, such as Lobkowitz and Paar, exercised their mint right as well in the 1790's.

''Recorded mintage:'' unknown.

''Specification:'' 28.06 g, 0.833 fine silver, this specimen 29.44 g. 

''Catalog reference:'' KM 1, [[Silver crowns by Davenport number|Dav-1192]]; Holzmair 63. 

''[[Bibliography|Source:]]''
* Craig, William D., ''[[Germany|Germanic]] Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II,'' Mountain View, CA: 1954. 
* Michael, Thomas, ''Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed.,'' Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016. 
* Davenport, John S., ''European Crowns, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed.,'' London: Spink & Son, 1964. 
* <sup>[1]</sup>Künker Münzauktionen und Goldhandel, ''Catalog 335: Bracteates from Upper Swabia and the area of the Lake Constance | Coins and Medals from Medieval and Modern Times, a. o. the Dr. Karl Walter Bach Collection of coins of the Austrian nobility, Special collections of Bavaria, Lubeck, Wurttemberg as well as siege coins from the Eberhard Link Collection.'' Osnabrück: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co., AG, 2020.

''Link to:''
* [[Austria 1793-A thaler Dav-1178|1793-A thaler]]
* [[Lobkowitz 1794-VI thaler Dav-1190]]
* [[Paar 1794 thaler Dav-1194]]
* [[Coins and currency dated 1793]]

[[Category:Selections from Kunker sale 335, 336]][[Category: Silver thalers of Germany]]