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March Signature Sale 3096 25-27 Mar 2021
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German States
Schlwesig-Holstein-Gottorp. Johann Adolf 1-1/2 Taler ND (1607-1617) AU55 NGC, Schleswig mint, KM3, Dav-LS444, Wilmersdörffer-Unl., Boyksen Collection-Unl., Vogel Collection-1457 (same dies), Lange-264D. 44.38gm. By all indications an issue of immense rarity, absent from auction records over the last two decades and altogether missing from both the Wilmersdörffer and Künker's recent sale of the Hergen Boyksen collections. The only other examples that we are aware of are the Vogel specimen (Adolph Hess November 1927, Lot 1457) and the one plated in Davenport, first published in his The Talers of the Dukes of Schleswig-Holstein in 1990.
The issue was meant to support the Duke's legitimacy as the sovereign of Schleswig-Holstein, after struggling to receive recognition from both his brother, Johann Friedrich, and the Schleswig Estates. The reverse relates his titles as "Heir of Norway, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein, and Count of Oldenburg and Delmenhorst," and the obverse contains his personal motto Virtus Post Funera ("Virtue Outlives Death"), the same slogan that would be inscribed on the lid of his sarcophagus. Visually, the coin's toning palette could hardly be more ideal, cobalt and violet interplaying over the expanses and welling up to a silhouetting gold as it meets the reliefs of the designs, drastically downplaying the little circulation wear that is present. Sold with an old handwritten ticket.
The younger brother of Duke Philip, Johann Adolf succeeding to the dukedom of Schleswig upon Philip's death in 1590. Only 15 at the time, Johann had been envisioned by his father to take on an ecclesiastical path, becoming both Archbishop of Bremen and Bishop of Lübeck. As he was underage, Johann was met with resistance by both the Estates, which claimed they had a right to rule on the new duke, and his younger brother Johann Friedrich, who wanted a share of his father's inheritance. While Johann Adolf managed to buy off the Estates with generous gifts, his brother with the Archbishopric of Bremen in 1596, and the Prince-Bishopric of Lübeck in 1607 (the omission of those titles on this coin suggesting a date after that year), he would ultimately introduce the principle of primogeniture in 1608 and work to further strengthen the position of Duke.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/german-states/schleswig-holstein-gottorp/german-states-schlwesig-holstein-gottorp-johann-adolf-1-1-2-taler-nd-1607-1617-au55-ngc-/a/3096-30286.s?type=CoinArchives3096
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 8000-10000 USD
Schlwesig-Holstein-Gottorp. Johann Adolf 1-1/2 Taler ND (1607-1617) AU55 NGC, Schleswig mint, KM3, Dav-LS444, Wilmersdörffer-Unl., Boyksen Collection-Unl., Vogel Collection-1457 (same dies), Lange-264D. 44.38gm. By all indications an issue of immense rarity, absent from auction records over the last two decades and altogether missing from both the Wilmersdörffer and Künker's recent sale of the Hergen Boyksen collections. The only other examples that we are aware of are the Vogel specimen (Adolph Hess November 1927, Lot 1457) and the one plated in Davenport, first published in his The Talers of the Dukes of Schleswig-Holstein in 1990.
The issue was meant to support the Duke's legitimacy as the sovereign of Schleswig-Holstein, after struggling to receive recognition from both his brother, Johann Friedrich, and the Schleswig Estates. The reverse relates his titles as "Heir of Norway, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein, and Count of Oldenburg and Delmenhorst," and the obverse contains his personal motto Virtus Post Funera ("Virtue Outlives Death"), the same slogan that would be inscribed on the lid of his sarcophagus. Visually, the coin's toning palette could hardly be more ideal, cobalt and violet interplaying over the expanses and welling up to a silhouetting gold as it meets the reliefs of the designs, drastically downplaying the little circulation wear that is present. Sold with an old handwritten ticket.
The younger brother of Duke Philip, Johann Adolf succeeding to the dukedom of Schleswig upon Philip's death in 1590. Only 15 at the time, Johann had been envisioned by his father to take on an ecclesiastical path, becoming both Archbishop of Bremen and Bishop of Lübeck. As he was underage, Johann was met with resistance by both the Estates, which claimed they had a right to rule on the new duke, and his younger brother Johann Friedrich, who wanted a share of his father's inheritance. While Johann Adolf managed to buy off the Estates with generous gifts, his brother with the Archbishopric of Bremen in 1596, and the Prince-Bishopric of Lübeck in 1607 (the omission of those titles on this coin suggesting a date after that year), he would ultimately introduce the principle of primogeniture in 1608 and work to further strengthen the position of Duke.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/german-states/schleswig-holstein-gottorp/german-states-schlwesig-holstein-gottorp-johann-adolf-1-1-2-taler-nd-1607-1617-au55-ngc-/a/3096-30286.s?type=CoinArchives3096
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 8000-10000 USD