Stack’s Bowers World Coin of the Week: Immense Saxony 2 Taler
Among the many fantastic offerings that Stack’s Bowers will offer at the Official Auction of the Whitman Baltimore Winter Expo, this Immense Saxony 2 Taler has been graded by NGC at AU-58: a numismatic treasure!
Today’s coin is a 2 Taler from the Albertine Line from the state of Saxony in Germany. Housed in an extra large NGC holder, this piece is truly impressive. It is a classic Vicariat issue that commemorates the death of Emperor Ferdinand III. Issued by Johann Georg II (1656-1680) – an adept statesman who successfully maneuvered his state so that Austria and France competed for influence – this hefty Taler displays an intricate design and is artistically executed. The obverse design features a magnificent figure of the Duke-Elector in a lavish robe and drawn sword atop a horse facing right. The arms for the region appear just below the horse in a cartouche oval. The legend states “Deo et Patriae” (For God and Fatherland) and the date of 1657. The reverse features a 12-line Latin inscription that records Emperor Ferdinand III’s death, and lists the full titles of the Vicar-Duke-Elector. An acorn appears at the very end of the legend, serving as the mintmark.
Read more about the Saxony 2 Taler here.
View and bid on all lots in the November 2015 Baltimore Auction online at StacksBowers.com
