German States
Pomerania-Stettin. Philipp II Klippe 1-1/2 Taler 1613 XF45 NGC, Stettin mint, KM15, Dav-7204, Hildisch-KL49 (this example). An excessively rare Klippe, quite possibly one of only two extant pieces, struck with the dies of the Taler issued in the same year. The planchet is sound, exhibiting only one flaw near the top of the obverse, and the strike is fairly typical of Klippe from this period: somewhat uneven along the peripheries with strong central details. The surfaces appear wholly original, with medium gray tone and hints of residual luster peeking from protected areas amongst the devices.Philipp was the penultimate Duke of Pomerania-Stettin and would die childless, leaving his brother Bogislaw XIV as the last duke who, also dying without issue, would be the last of the male line of the House of Griffins. The lack of clear succession left the Duchy of Pomerania to be divided between Sweden and Brandenburg-Prussia upon the conclusion of the Thirty Years War in 1648. Philipp was an important patron and collector of art and, perhaps most notably in this context, an enthusiastic numismatist.
Estimate: 60000-90000 USD