Saxe-Old-Gotha (15)61 schreckenberger

Jean Elsen sale 149, lot 1291

This specimen was lot 1291 in Jean Elsen sale 149 (Brussels, December 2021), where it sold for €80 (about US$108 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"ALLEMAGNE, SAXE-ALT GOTHA, Johann Friedrich II (1557-1567), AR Schreckenberger, 1561, Saalfeld. D/ Ange de f., ten. l'écu de Saxe. R/ Ecu écartelé. Très Beau. (Germany, duchy of Saxe-Old Gotha, John Frederick II, 1557-67, silver schreckenberger of 1561, Saalfeld mint. Obverse: angel facing, bearing the arms of Saxony; reverse: quartered arms. Very Fine.)"

The schreckenberger or engelgroschen was a denomination briefly popular around the turn of the sixteenth century. Nominally equal to twelve kreuzer, they should have the weight of one-fifth thaler altho this example weighs about one-seventh of a thaler. This type is listed in the SCWC for 1560 only. Joint coinages were frequent during the early stages of the division between the Ernestine and Albertine dukes of Saxony; the Ernestine branch splintered after 1554 into the Saxon duchies. This one was issued by the Ernestine duke Johann Friedrich II a few years before his realm was divided into Saxe-(Old) Gotha, Saxe-(Old) Weimar and Saxe-Coburg. Johann Friedrich II retained Saxe-Gotha.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: silver, this specimen 4,07 g.

Catalog reference: KM MB 398, Mers. -; Koppe 110b.

Source:

• Nicol, N. Douglas, Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of German Coins, 1501-Present, 3rd ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
• ^[1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 149: Monnaies, Médailles et Décorations, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2021.

Link to:

• Saxony (1512-23) schreckenberger = 12 kreuzer
• (15)58 thaler, "IOAN:FRIDE:SECVNDVS:D:G:DVX:SAX:"
• (15)58 thaler, "D:G:IOAN:FRIDE:SECVNDVS:DVX:SAXO:"
• Saxony 1561-T 1/2 thaler August I
• (15)61 thaler, "D:G:IOAN:FRIDE:SECVNDVS:DVX:SAXO:"
• 1561-HB thaler
• 1564 schreckenberger
• Coins and currency dated 1561