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March Signature Sale 3096 25-27 Mar 2021
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German States
Mainz. Georg Friedrich von Greiffenklau gold 10 Ducat 1629-LS/DA AU55+ NGC, Frankfurt am Main mint, KM-Unl., Fr-1642a (Unique), Würdtwein-Unl., Heiligenberger-Unl., cf. "Die churfürstlich mainzischen Münzen und Medaillen neuerer Zeit" (Numismatische Zeitung 31, no. 11, May 1864) pg. 84 (not listed), von Schluthess-Rechberg Collection-Unl., Prinz Alexander-Unl., Walther Collection-Unl. 34.29gm. By Lorenz Schilling. Daniel Avrer as mintmaster. With date and mintmaster's initials on sleeve (mislabeled as undated on the holder). Struck from Taler dies (cf. KM40, Dav-5543). By all measures, a unique striking in gold from this already very rare set of Taler dies. Entirely missing from the standard literature on Mainz coinage dating back to Stephan Würdtwein's Mainzer Münzen, published in 1769, its first appearance was apparently noted in Friedberg, though no illustration is provided.
Although we can say relatively little about the precise circumstances that could have led to the production of this piece, it is interesting to note that Forrer, in his entry for the engraver, states that Schilling's medals, "do not display very great skill [but] are nevertheless praiseworthy productions, considering the time of decadence when they were executed." Indeed, when placing the engravings of the present offering up against other known taler dies from Georg Friedrich's short reign, the softened realism and lifelike qualities of Schilling's work immediately stand out. What is more, the execution of this specimen is highly precise and easily distinguishable from the one illustrated taler by Schilling that we have been able to locate (provided by Davenport), which showed a slightly off-center strike. Quite clearly a veritable "gem" of the series, and one that should command bidder attention.
A staunch supporter of Emperor Ferdinand II during the Thirty Years' War, Georg Friedrich is perhaps best known for his authorship of the Edict of Restitution in 1627, a document formally passed in 1629 after a series of Catholic successes meant to undo the verdicts of the Peace of Augsburg of 1555. Perhaps it is no coincidence that this event coincides with the dating of the present multiple ducat. Lorenz Schilling, the die engraver, indeed operated out of the city of Frankfurt, the classical seat and location of the coronation for the Holy Roman Emperor, and, as Forrer points out, one of Schilling's previous productions had been a series of ducats, talers, and 1/2 talers meant to commemorate the foundation of the Schloss Johannisburg, which from 1614 served as the second residence of the Prince-Bishop of Mainz. Might it be possible that this very coin was commissioned by the grateful Catholic Emperor as a reward for Georg Friedrich's unwavering support?
Ex. Hess-Divo Auction 267 (May 1996, Lot 479); Adolph E. Cahn (March 1918, Lot 150)
https://coins.ha.com/itm/german-states/mainz/german-states-mainz-georg-friedrich-von-greiffenklau-gold-10-ducat-1629-ls-da-au55-ngc-/a/3096-30252.s?type=CoinArchives3096
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 20000-40000 USD
Mainz. Georg Friedrich von Greiffenklau gold 10 Ducat 1629-LS/DA AU55+ NGC, Frankfurt am Main mint, KM-Unl., Fr-1642a (Unique), Würdtwein-Unl., Heiligenberger-Unl., cf. "Die churfürstlich mainzischen Münzen und Medaillen neuerer Zeit" (Numismatische Zeitung 31, no. 11, May 1864) pg. 84 (not listed), von Schluthess-Rechberg Collection-Unl., Prinz Alexander-Unl., Walther Collection-Unl. 34.29gm. By Lorenz Schilling. Daniel Avrer as mintmaster. With date and mintmaster's initials on sleeve (mislabeled as undated on the holder). Struck from Taler dies (cf. KM40, Dav-5543). By all measures, a unique striking in gold from this already very rare set of Taler dies. Entirely missing from the standard literature on Mainz coinage dating back to Stephan Würdtwein's Mainzer Münzen, published in 1769, its first appearance was apparently noted in Friedberg, though no illustration is provided.
Although we can say relatively little about the precise circumstances that could have led to the production of this piece, it is interesting to note that Forrer, in his entry for the engraver, states that Schilling's medals, "do not display very great skill [but] are nevertheless praiseworthy productions, considering the time of decadence when they were executed." Indeed, when placing the engravings of the present offering up against other known taler dies from Georg Friedrich's short reign, the softened realism and lifelike qualities of Schilling's work immediately stand out. What is more, the execution of this specimen is highly precise and easily distinguishable from the one illustrated taler by Schilling that we have been able to locate (provided by Davenport), which showed a slightly off-center strike. Quite clearly a veritable "gem" of the series, and one that should command bidder attention.
A staunch supporter of Emperor Ferdinand II during the Thirty Years' War, Georg Friedrich is perhaps best known for his authorship of the Edict of Restitution in 1627, a document formally passed in 1629 after a series of Catholic successes meant to undo the verdicts of the Peace of Augsburg of 1555. Perhaps it is no coincidence that this event coincides with the dating of the present multiple ducat. Lorenz Schilling, the die engraver, indeed operated out of the city of Frankfurt, the classical seat and location of the coronation for the Holy Roman Emperor, and, as Forrer points out, one of Schilling's previous productions had been a series of ducats, talers, and 1/2 talers meant to commemorate the foundation of the Schloss Johannisburg, which from 1614 served as the second residence of the Prince-Bishop of Mainz. Might it be possible that this very coin was commissioned by the grateful Catholic Emperor as a reward for Georg Friedrich's unwavering support?
Ex. Hess-Divo Auction 267 (May 1996, Lot 479); Adolph E. Cahn (March 1918, Lot 150)
https://coins.ha.com/itm/german-states/mainz/german-states-mainz-georg-friedrich-von-greiffenklau-gold-10-ducat-1629-ls-da-au55-ngc-/a/3096-30252.s?type=CoinArchives3096
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 20000-40000 USD