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March Signature Sale 3096 25-27 Mar 2021
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German States
Brunswick-Lüneburg-Celle. Christian von Minden gold 20 Ducat ND (1611-1633) AU55 NGC, Winsen mint, KM-Unl., Fr-541 (Unique; this coin), Knyphausen-Unl., Wilmersdörffer-Unl., Antoine-Feill Collection-Unl., Vogel Collection-Unl., Elbeshausen Collection-Unl., Preussag Collection-Unl (see lot 122, struck from the same dies), Welter-Unl. (cf. Welter-919 for 1-1/2 Taler). 59mm. 69.87gm. Hans Heine as mintmaster. Struck from 1-1/2 Taler dies (cf. KM249, Dav-LS125) without value stamp. In a word: astonishing. This presumably unique off-metal strike of Christian the Elder, Bishop of Minden's silver "rider" coinage, appears to have been missing from every major collection we have consulted: Knyphausen, Antoine-Feill, Vogel, Wilmersdörffer, Brand, Elbeshausen, Preussag, and Popken. Its purpose of production was very likely tied to the conflicts of the Thirty Years' War, during which time the Duke and Prince-Bishop had allied himself with the Habsburg Emperor, not converting to Protestantism until 1629.
Struck from the same dies as lot number 122 in the Preussag Collection (a unique 2 Taler), this offering continues to preserve a great degree of originality throughout, showing no evidence of punctures, mounting, or edge damage, with overall wear remaining quite light. Although the Standard Catalog of World Coins tentatively dates the 1-1/2 Taler to 1622 and the 3 Taler to 1601, it is possible that the motto featured on the obverse, IUSTITIA ET CONCORDIA ("Justice and Concord"), places the minting of this issue sometime after 1625 when this legend first appeared on Christian's coinage (cf. Dav-LSA116). This might be tied to the occupation of his bishopric by imperial troops in 1623 (a situation he had endeavored to prevent), after which he resigned his position as Colonel of the Lower Saxon troops. Simply a singular opportunity, and one not to be missed by serious collectors of German gold multiples. Erroneously dated on the holder from 1599, as he assumed rule of Lüneburg in 1611.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/german-states/german-states-brunswick-luneburg-celle-christian-von-minden-gold-20-ducat-nd-1611-1633-au55-ngc-/a/3096-30218.s?type=CoinArchives3096
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 150000-250000 USD
Brunswick-Lüneburg-Celle. Christian von Minden gold 20 Ducat ND (1611-1633) AU55 NGC, Winsen mint, KM-Unl., Fr-541 (Unique; this coin), Knyphausen-Unl., Wilmersdörffer-Unl., Antoine-Feill Collection-Unl., Vogel Collection-Unl., Elbeshausen Collection-Unl., Preussag Collection-Unl (see lot 122, struck from the same dies), Welter-Unl. (cf. Welter-919 for 1-1/2 Taler). 59mm. 69.87gm. Hans Heine as mintmaster. Struck from 1-1/2 Taler dies (cf. KM249, Dav-LS125) without value stamp. In a word: astonishing. This presumably unique off-metal strike of Christian the Elder, Bishop of Minden's silver "rider" coinage, appears to have been missing from every major collection we have consulted: Knyphausen, Antoine-Feill, Vogel, Wilmersdörffer, Brand, Elbeshausen, Preussag, and Popken. Its purpose of production was very likely tied to the conflicts of the Thirty Years' War, during which time the Duke and Prince-Bishop had allied himself with the Habsburg Emperor, not converting to Protestantism until 1629.
Struck from the same dies as lot number 122 in the Preussag Collection (a unique 2 Taler), this offering continues to preserve a great degree of originality throughout, showing no evidence of punctures, mounting, or edge damage, with overall wear remaining quite light. Although the Standard Catalog of World Coins tentatively dates the 1-1/2 Taler to 1622 and the 3 Taler to 1601, it is possible that the motto featured on the obverse, IUSTITIA ET CONCORDIA ("Justice and Concord"), places the minting of this issue sometime after 1625 when this legend first appeared on Christian's coinage (cf. Dav-LSA116). This might be tied to the occupation of his bishopric by imperial troops in 1623 (a situation he had endeavored to prevent), after which he resigned his position as Colonel of the Lower Saxon troops. Simply a singular opportunity, and one not to be missed by serious collectors of German gold multiples. Erroneously dated on the holder from 1599, as he assumed rule of Lüneburg in 1611.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/german-states/german-states-brunswick-luneburg-celle-christian-von-minden-gold-20-ducat-nd-1611-1633-au55-ngc-/a/3096-30218.s?type=CoinArchives3096
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 150000-250000 USD