Watch List notes:

POLAND. Thirty Years' War. Silesia. 3 Talers, 1621. Breslau (Wroclaw) Mint. Friedrich V of the Palantinate. PCGS MS-62.
KM-24; Mailliet-pl. CII #4; Kopicki-7018. Weight: 12.33 gms. 26 mm x 24 mm. Struck by Protestant rebels using 3/4 Taler dies. Square uniface flan with eagle in center flanked by date (16-21) within solid border; Legend: MONETA.ARGENTEA.SILESIAE.III.TALERO.; 4/M above, monogram below. This beautifully preserved example boasts nicely centered and sharply struck devices with bold features displaying lovely cabinet patina. The surfaces are smooth with a slight glossiness and attractive iridescent sheen that complements this elite quality survivor. Seldom encountered in such a high state of preserved, let alone as attractive as the present piece, and should be considered VERY RARE and highly desirable.

The onset of the Thirty Years' War (1618-48) was caused by Ferdinand of Styria being elected as king of Bohemia, later in 1619 becoming Ferdinand II Holy Roman Emperor, who was a staunch supporter of Catholicism. This alarmed Bohemian Protestants who eventually rejected Ferdinand's election declaring the Protestant Frederick V of the Rhine Palatinate as king instead. Frederick V was advised by his allies that by accepting the Bohemian throne it would be considered an inflammatory act, but he accepted anyways and was crowned 4 November 1619. Supported by the duchy of Bavaria, Ferdinand was able to amass a large military force and marched on Prague. After the decisive battle of the White Mountain, lasting only one hour, on 8 November 1620 Frederick along with his family fled Prague to the Silesian capital of Breslau earning him the nickname "The Winter King". On 21 January 1621 Ferdinand issued a decree accusing Frederick of breach of peace, supporting rebels and treason.

Estimate: $1000 - $1500