Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
January 2020 NYINC Auction 17-18 Jan 2020
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GERMANY. Saxony. 2 Ducats, 1547. Moritz. PCGS EF-40 Gold Shield.
24x22mm; 6.79 gms. Fr-2622 (this coin plated [and possibly referenced]). Commemorating the Siege of Leipzig. Obverse: MORI / HERZ S in two lines above garnished coat-of-arms within elaborate scroll; Reverse: HER / HANS / FRID BE / LEGERT LE / IPZIG MEN / Se IA AN / MDXLVII in seven lines; coat-of-arms below. Likely unique, this piece is part of four denominations, of which it is the rarest and the apparent citation in Friedberg as "Basel auction 1999 VF Sfr. 45000."
24x22mm; 6.79 gms. Fr-2622 (this coin plated [and possibly referenced]). Commemorating the Siege of Leipzig. Obverse: MORI / HERZ S in two lines above garnished coat-of-arms within elaborate scroll; Reverse: HER / HANS / FRID BE / LEGERT LE / IPZIG MEN / Se IA AN / MDXLVII in seven lines; coat-of-arms below. Likely unique, this piece is part of four denominations, of which it is the rarest and the apparent citation in Friedberg as "Basel auction 1999 VF Sfr. 45000."
The siege was part of the War of the League of Schmalkalden, in whose opening stages the ambitious Moritz strove to seize the Electoral dignity from his cousin, Johann Friedrich of Saxony's rival Ernestine Line. Born in Freiburg in 1521, Moritz was educated as a Lutheran and married Agnes, daughter of the Protestant stalwart Philipp of Hessen. He followed a somewhat flexible policy during the wars of religion, guided by self-interest and striving always to enlarge his domains either in concert with Emperor Charles V or against him. After many successes, he was mortally wounded in the battle of Sievershausen in July 1553. For a siege piece, this coin is beautifully struck and carries with it a flavor of the warlike drama of that stormy era.
Ex: Stack's (1/2008) Lot # 2758.
Estimate: $35000.00- $45000.00