Schlick 1526 thaler Dav-8146

Heritage sale 3089, lot 30022

This specimen was lot 30022 in Heritage sale 3089 (Dallas, TX, January 2021), where it sold for $16,800. The catalog description^[1] noted, "Austria. Schlick. Stephan, Burian, Heinrich, Hieronymous & Lorenz Joachimsthaler 1526 MS64 NGC, Joachimsthal mint. The mines of Bohemia were a major source of silver in the 16th century. Coined at the Joachimstal mint, this type, of somewhat reduced weight and fineness from the Guldengroschen, became known as the Joachimsthaler, which was eventually shorten[ed] to "taler", a term which later became "dollar". Almost fully struck, with most of its original mint bloom preserved, this stunning specimen retains a mint-fresh appearance that is wholly uncommon for this rare issue. The finest of the early Schlick Talers that we have seen, and a superb lustrous survivor considering its nearly 400-year age. Ex. Grundy Collection (Heritage Auction #3004, January 2009, Lot 20223). From the Cape Coral Collection of European Crowns." In the mid-fifteenth century, large deposits of silver were discovered in the Alps and Carpathian mountains. At the same time, the screw press, originally invented to crush grapes, was adapted to minting, enabling the production of large coins. Thus the guldiner (later called the thaler) was born. The counts of Schlick were the original proprietors of the mint at Joachimsthal, where the first "thalers" were struck. Schlick, in Bohemia, was not incorporated into the Hapsburg dominions until 1526. This type was accompanied by a 1½ thaler (Dav-8145). The "LVDOWIC" mentioned on the reverse was Louis II of Hungary, who was also king of Bohemia 1516-26. His death in battle fighting the Turks allowed the Hapsburgs to seize Bohemia, Moravia and the western slice of Hungary that the Turks didn't take.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: silver.

Catalog reference: Dav-8146; Donebauer-3770.

Source:

• Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
• Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1484-1600, Frankfurt: Numismatischer Verlag, 1977.
• Nicol, N. Douglas, Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of German Coins, 1501-Present, 3rd ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
• ^[1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, Heritage Auction 3089: NYINC World & Ancient Coins Platinum & Signature Auction - Dallas, featuring the Cape Coral Collection of European Crowns and the Penn Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2020.

Links to:

• Schlick (1520-26) thaler Dav-8141A
• Schlick 1526 thaler Dav-8142
• Schlick (15)28 thaler Dav-8148
• 1529 klippe ducat, Vienna mint
• 1529 thaler, Joachimsthal mint
• Coins and currency dated 1526