Transylvania 1591 thaler Dav-8802

Sincona sale 6, lot 4037

This specimen was lot 4037 in Sincona sale 6 (Zürich, May 2012), where it sold for 800 CHF (about US$984 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"UNGARN Siebenbürgen Sigismund Bathory, 1581-1602. Reichstaler 1591, Nagybanya. Geharnischtes Hüftbild rechts mit Streitkolben in rechter Hand. Rv. Zwei weibliche Figuren halten Wappen unter Fürstenhut. Hksp. Gutes sehr schön. (Hungary, Transylvania, Siigismund Bathory, 1581-1602, thaler of 1591, Nagybánya mint. Obverse: Armored half-length bust with scepter in right hand; reverse: two figures support the arms with the princely hat above. Mount mark, good 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.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: silver; this specimen is 28,72 g.

Catalog reference: Huszar 125. Resch 76, Dav-8802.

Source:

• Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1484-1600, Frankfurt: Numismatischer Verlag, 1977.
• Adolf Resch, Siebenburgische Münzen und Medaillen von 1538 bis Gegenwart. Hermannstadt, 1901 (reprinted in Montreal, 1965).
• ^[1]Numismatic Coins, Medals, Banknotes & Books: Auction 6, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2012.

Link to:

• 1588 ducat
• 1590 thaler
• 1592 thaler
• Coins and currency dated 1591
• return to coins of Transylvania