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Triton XXV  11-12 Jan 2022
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Lot 1149

Estimate: 20 000 USD
Price realized: 42 000 USD
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GERMANY, Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel (Duchy). Julius. 1568-1589. AR Löser zu 5 Reichstalern – 5 Taler (73mm, 145.24 g, 12h). Heinrichstadt mint. Dated 1588. (floral spray) VON · G · GNAEDEN · IVLIVS · HERZOG · ZV · BRVN · V · LVN · GOTTES · VERSHEVNG · MVS · GESCHEN/ (floral spray) O * HER * BEHVET * MIR * NICHT * MHER * DAN * SEEL * LEIB * VND * E · EHR, helmeted and armored half-length bust facing slightly right, holding ax and resting hand on hilt of sword; personifications and symbols of the planets in innermost circle, signs and symbols of the zodiac in second innermost circle / * HEINRICHSTET * MVNTZ * NA * DES * R * SCHROT * V KOR · GENAN · BRAVNSCH/ (crossed hammers and shield) WEGISCH * IVLIVS * LOESER · AM · WERT 5 (in incuse stamp) THALER · ALIIS · INSERVIE · CONSVM, coat-of-arms surmounted by three ornately crested helmets; wildmen supporters holding globus cruciger and candle and spectacles, respectively. Ophthalmologia XI.90 (this coin illustrated); Welter 566; Davenport 22. A few minor marks and flan flaws. Deep cabinet toning. Good VF. Rare and impressive.

From the Dr. Jay M. Galst Collection, Ex G. Hirsch 155 (23 September 1987), lot 1539.

In Ophthalmologia, Dr. Galst writes: "By law each property owner, based on individual wealth, had to purchase one of these large coins, which ranged in value from 1¼ to 16 talers. The owner was expected to produce them upon demand in exchange for smaller debased currency in times of emergencies such as war." This idea was pioneered by Duke Julius, but the practice soon spread to other German states, where the large Lösers came to showcase the finest of the engravers' art.
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