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Sale 46
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Lot 584
German States -- Brunswick-Lüneburg-Calenberg-Hanov. Taler, 1777-IWS. Dav-2107; Welter-2801; Fiala-4752; KM-372. George III of Great Britain. Bust right. Reverse: Crowned and supported arms with motto below and divided date. Reflective surfaces with lovely, light iridescent toning. Rare. NGC graded MS-62.
George III, as King of England, continued simultaneously as ruler of his hereditary holdings of Brunswick-Lüneburg-Calenberg-Hanover in Germany. From this intimate connection with his homeland, George sought advantage to press his campaign against the rebellious Thirteen Colonies of North America. Fighting at such long distance, George simply did not have enough soldiers in his own army to supply the needs of his commanders in America. Thus he sought aid from a number of the German principalities. By far the greatest source of men came from Hesse-Cassel. The loss of the Colonies was an economic blow the British government could not tolerate painlessly, and apparently sensing their need the Prince of Hesse-Cassel, Frederick II, struck a particularly advantageous deal for himself with George (perhaps because of ties of marriage under George II). He sold the services of 12,000 of his Hessians to the English at seven pounds sterling, seven shillings a head (the total probably tens of millions of dollars in today's purchasing power). Some of these talers are known as Blood Talers, while others served the same purpose but remain today anonymous, unless their story is understood.
Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000.
Ex Irving Goodman Collection; Illustrated in Money of The World, coin 117.
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