Alsace 1631 thaler Dav-3355

Sincona sale 94, lot 2222

Ensisheim in upper Alsace. The political situation is of 1477, on the collapse of the Burgundians. Upper Alsace would be ruled by the Hapsburgs until 1648 when it passed to France.

This specimen was lot 2222 in Sincona sale 94 (Zürich, October 2024), where it sold for 750 CHF (about US$1,040 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"RDR / ÖSTERREICH Erzherzog Leopold V. 1619-1632. Taler 1631, Ensisheim. Selten in dieser Erhaltung. Gutes vorzüglich. Feine Patina. (Holy Roman Empire, archduke Leopold V, 1619-32, thaler of 1631, Ensisheim mint. Rare in this condition, About Uncirculated, Nicely toned.)"

This thaler was struck 1631-32 and is fairly common. Leopold, who was also count of Tyrol, was one of the last Hapsburg archdukes to enjoy the mint right. Ensisheim would fall to the French at the end of the Thirty Years War.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: silver, this specimen 28.29 g.

Catalog reference: KM 272, Klemesch 269, Dav-3355.

Source:

• 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., European Crowns, 1600-1700, Galesburg, IL, 1974.
• ^[1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 94: World and Swiss Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2024.

Link to:

• 1630 thaler, Ensisheim mint
• 1631 thaler, Breslau mint
• Eggenberg 1631 thaler Dav-3383
• 1631 thaler, Graz mint
• 1631 double thaler, Graz mint
• 1632 thaler, Ensisheim mint
• Coins and currency dated 1631