Schwarzburg-Sondershausen 1620 12 kreuzer KM-8
This specimen was lot 1108 in Jean Elsen sale 161 (Brussels, March 2025), where it sold for €220 (about US$287 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ALLEMAGNE, SCHWARZBURG-SONDERSHAUSEN, Günther XLII, Anton Heinrich, Johann Günther II et Christian Günther I (1619-1631), AR 12 Kreuzer, 1620. Au titre de Ferdinand II. D/ Trois écus dans le champ. R/ Aigle impériale couronnée. Légère faiblesse de frappe. Belle patine. (Germany, county of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen, Gunther XLII, Anthony Henry, John Gunther II and Christian Gunther I, 1619-31, silver twelve kreuzer of 1620, struck in the name of Ferdinand II. Obverse: three shields in the shield; reverse: crowned imperial eagle. Slightly weakly struck, nice patina, Very Fine - Extremely Fine.)"
This is a debased kipper issue. Numerous varieties exist (KM 8, 9, 10, 11, 13), of which only KM 8 lacks the initials "SH". Of the four brothers, John Gunther II died in 1631, Anton Heinrich in 1638, Christian Gunther in 1642 and Gunther XLII in 1643. The counts were raised to the rank of prince in 1697.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.7 g, silver, 25-28 mm diameter, this specimen 2,75 g.
Catalog reference: KM 8, Fischer 207.
- 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.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 161, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2025.
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