Lot 675
German States -- Saxony. Guldengroschen, ND (1512), Hall. Dav-9699; Schnee-37; Schulten-3019; Coll. Merseburger-417; Coll. Vogel-5935. 28.76 grams. Friedrich III, the Wise, 1486-1525. Bust of bearded Friedrich right, cuirassed and wearing embroidered cap, with raised shields quartering the inscription; FRID' DVX SAX - ELECT ' IMPER. QVE LOCVM : TEN - E'S. GENERA'; inscription on his breastplate: IHS : MARIA, = "Jesus; Mary." Reverse: Nimbate eagle, with shield on breast bearing arms of Austria and Burgundy; MAXIMILIANVS ROMANORVM REX SEMPER AVGVST. Lustrous bold relief devices on reflective fields. Fine medium gray old-collection toning, with russet to iridescent gold-green undertones. Faint old inventory number inked on left obverse field. Rare, and very much more so in this grade. One of the finest known. NGC graded MS-62.
Friedrich the Wise is probably best known for his support of Martin Luther. Interestingly enough, his support centered around his ideas of justice, not religion. He never even understood completely Luther's beliefs. He just wanted to insure Luther got a fair trail. Ironically, Friedrich, who was a devout Catholic, inadvertantly furthered the cause of Protestantism in Germany more than almost anyone else.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,500.
Ex Virgil Brand Collection, Zurich 1997, lot 5020.
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| Realized $16,675 |
