Heritage World Coin Auctions
ANA Signature Sale 3048 11 August 2016
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German States
Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. Friedrich Ulrich 5 Taler 1614 MS63 NGC, Goslar mint, Heinrich Oeckeler as mintmaster, KM54, Dav-36 (LS). Marvelously engraved and possessed of an exacting strike, this imposing multiple Taler remains in an almost unbelievable state of preservation. Light lavender tone bathes the fields and recessed areas while the high points and margins of the devices remain lustrous and bright; the overall juxtaposition of coloring and relief lending a virtual cameo effect to the depiction of the duke on horseback. Typical of a coin of this proportion, there is light doubling in sections of the obverse legend, a few scattered surface marks, and small touches of striking weakness to the flourishes in the reverse arms, but these hardly affect the overall presentation. This specimen is absolutely superior to similarly-denominated examples from almost every issuer. The balance of the exceptional standard of production with the obvious care taken in the safekeeping of this magnificent piece over the past 402 years set it in a special class of rarity highly sought after by the most advanced numismatists currently active.Löser, or Redeemers, inhabit a purposeful, albeit very unusual, place in German numismatics. The utility of such coins in everyday commerce was virtually nil, but that was essentially the point. Duke Julius of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel was the first to institute such a coinage in 1574, giving the genre its common name of "Löser" by the engraving of "BRVNSWIGS IVLIVS LOSER AM WERT ALIIS INSERVIENDO CONSVMOR" in the reverse inscription. Due to plentiful silver production in the Harz Mountains, the idea was that nearly all landowners were required to purchase at least one Löser whenever an issue was produced and then retain it for redemption to the treasury in the event of war or crisis. In addition to the requirement of purchase, there were officials that conducted periodic checks on landholders to account for the Löser and to ensure they were accessible. The calling in and melting of such specie throughout the turbulence of the Thirty Years' War has contributed to the great rarity of many types, particularly in exceptional condition.From the Cape Coral Collection of Multiple Talers
Estimate: 70000-90000 USD
Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. Friedrich Ulrich 5 Taler 1614 MS63 NGC, Goslar mint, Heinrich Oeckeler as mintmaster, KM54, Dav-36 (LS). Marvelously engraved and possessed of an exacting strike, this imposing multiple Taler remains in an almost unbelievable state of preservation. Light lavender tone bathes the fields and recessed areas while the high points and margins of the devices remain lustrous and bright; the overall juxtaposition of coloring and relief lending a virtual cameo effect to the depiction of the duke on horseback. Typical of a coin of this proportion, there is light doubling in sections of the obverse legend, a few scattered surface marks, and small touches of striking weakness to the flourishes in the reverse arms, but these hardly affect the overall presentation. This specimen is absolutely superior to similarly-denominated examples from almost every issuer. The balance of the exceptional standard of production with the obvious care taken in the safekeeping of this magnificent piece over the past 402 years set it in a special class of rarity highly sought after by the most advanced numismatists currently active.Löser, or Redeemers, inhabit a purposeful, albeit very unusual, place in German numismatics. The utility of such coins in everyday commerce was virtually nil, but that was essentially the point. Duke Julius of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel was the first to institute such a coinage in 1574, giving the genre its common name of "Löser" by the engraving of "BRVNSWIGS IVLIVS LOSER AM WERT ALIIS INSERVIENDO CONSVMOR" in the reverse inscription. Due to plentiful silver production in the Harz Mountains, the idea was that nearly all landowners were required to purchase at least one Löser whenever an issue was produced and then retain it for redemption to the treasury in the event of war or crisis. In addition to the requirement of purchase, there were officials that conducted periodic checks on landholders to account for the Löser and to ensure they were accessible. The calling in and melting of such specie throughout the turbulence of the Thirty Years' War has contributed to the great rarity of many types, particularly in exceptional condition.From the Cape Coral Collection of Multiple Talers
Estimate: 70000-90000 USD