Speyer 1672-MF 60 kreuzer
The first specimen was lot 30925 in Heritage sale 3064 (Chicago, April 2018), where it sold for $660. The catalog description[1] noted, "Speyer. Lothar Friedrich von Metternich-Burscheid 60 Kreuzer 1672-MF AU53 NGC, Mainz mint. Entirely pleasing, with sublime golden and apricot hues that swirl beneath the steel-gray tones and darker turquoise color that rests against the raised elements. Both sides present emboldened central details along with minimal instances of handling, and wear has gently smoothed only the highest points. At present time, this example appears to be the only certified example of the type, and as such, we expect considerable interest from the bidding community." The second specimen was lot 2374 in Künker sale 404 (Osnabrück, March 2024), where it sold for €170 (about US$223 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"DAS ERZBISTUM MAINZ. ERZBISCHOF LOTHAR FRIEDRICH VON METTERNICH-BURSCHEID, 1673-1675. Prägungen Lothar Friedrichs als Bischof von Speyer, 1652-1675. Gulden (60 Kreuzer) 1672, Mainz. Mit Titel Koadjutor von Mainz. Münzmeister Matthias Fischer. Mit schmalerem Brustbild auf der Vorderseite, die Umschrift mit größerem S in EPIS und MOG °. Brustbild r. im Wams, der mit Borten besetzt ist und umgelegtem Kreuz//Vierfeldiges Wappen (Speyer/Weißenburg) mit Mittelschild von Metternich, oben Mitra mit langen Bändern, dahinter Schwert und Krummstab gekreuzt, unten Wertzahl 60 in Klammern. R Kl. Kratzer, sehr schön-vorzüglich. (Germany, archbishopric of Mainz, Lothar Frederick of Metternich-Burscheid, 1673-75, gulden of 1672, Mainz mint, with the title of coadjutor of Mainz. Obverse: bust right in episcopal robe; reverse: quartered arms of Speyer and Weißenburg with the escutcheon of Metternich, above a miter with long ribbons, behind crossed sword and crozier, value below in brackets. Rare, light scratches, very fine to extremely fine.)"
While this gulden is scarce, it is more available than the contemporary thalers, which are extremely rare. The bishopric of Speyer was an enclave in the Palatinate and was annexed by Napoleon in 1801. After his fall, the town passed to Bavaria. Lothar Frederick was elected coadjutor archbishop of Mainz in 1670 and succeeded the incumbent, John Philip of Schönborn, in 1673. He ruled only two years before his own death in 1675.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, the second specimen is 18,92 g.
Catalog reference: KM 43, Dav-992; Ehrend 6/71 e leicht var.; Slg. Pick I (Auktion Dr. Busso Peus Nachf. 405) 480 var.; Slg. Walther -.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- Davenport, John S., Silver Gulden, 1559-1763, Frankfurt am Main, Numismatischer Verlag P. N. Schulten, 1982.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 123, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2014.
- [2]Künker, Fritz Rudolf, Horst-Rudiger Künker, Ulrich Künker and Andreas Kaiser, Katalog 404: Coins and Medals of the City of Mainz - The Prof. Dr. Eckhart Pick Collection, Part II, Osnabrück: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co., AG, 2024.
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