The New York Sale
Auction 49 15 Jan 2020
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Saxony (German State)
Saxony. Johann Georg II (1656-1680). Silver Klippe Taler, 1669. On the birth of his grandson Johann Georg IV. Monogram of IG 4 in center, arms in four corners. Rev. Young Hercules in a cradle strangling a snake. In corners date, M. -D. - C. - LXIX (Dav 7632; KM 528). In NGC holder graded MS 63, with original mint fresh luster and toning. Value $1,500 - UP
This klippe thaler continues the Hercules theme that Johann Georg II perpetuated throughout his reign as Elector of Saxony but now turns it into a dynastic motif on the occasion of the birth of his grandson Georg IV. Here the childhood of Hercules is invoked to cast the new addition to the House of Wettin in the same light as his grandfather. According to myth, when Hercules was a small child, Hera, the wife of philandering Zeus sent serpents to kill him as he slept. However, upon their entry to his room, Hercules awoke and used his superhuman strength to strangle them in his hands. The depiction of this mythological scene shows a familiarity not only with the description of the event from Pindar, but perhaps also with Renaissance representations, particularly a medal struck by Ercole d'Este, Duke of Ferrara (1471-1505) on the occasion of the birth of his son in 1476. Just like Johann Georg II, Ercole (not surprisingly given his name) frequently used Hercules to represent his heroic character and martial prowess. The custom of representing royal and noble heirs as the young Hercules slaying the serpents soon became fashionable throughout Europe. For example, James Stuart, the hapless son of James II of England is depicted this way on medals of 1688 and the future Josef II of Austria on medals of 1741.
Saxony. Johann Georg II (1656-1680). Silver Klippe Taler, 1669. On the birth of his grandson Johann Georg IV. Monogram of IG 4 in center, arms in four corners. Rev. Young Hercules in a cradle strangling a snake. In corners date, M. -D. - C. - LXIX (Dav 7632; KM 528). In NGC holder graded MS 63, with original mint fresh luster and toning. Value $1,500 - UP
This klippe thaler continues the Hercules theme that Johann Georg II perpetuated throughout his reign as Elector of Saxony but now turns it into a dynastic motif on the occasion of the birth of his grandson Georg IV. Here the childhood of Hercules is invoked to cast the new addition to the House of Wettin in the same light as his grandfather. According to myth, when Hercules was a small child, Hera, the wife of philandering Zeus sent serpents to kill him as he slept. However, upon their entry to his room, Hercules awoke and used his superhuman strength to strangle them in his hands. The depiction of this mythological scene shows a familiarity not only with the description of the event from Pindar, but perhaps also with Renaissance representations, particularly a medal struck by Ercole d'Este, Duke of Ferrara (1471-1505) on the occasion of the birth of his son in 1476. Just like Johann Georg II, Ercole (not surprisingly given his name) frequently used Hercules to represent his heroic character and martial prowess. The custom of representing royal and noble heirs as the young Hercules slaying the serpents soon became fashionable throughout Europe. For example, James Stuart, the hapless son of James II of England is depicted this way on medals of 1688 and the future Josef II of Austria on medals of 1741.