Lot 864
Switzerland -- Zürich. Silver Guldiner (Taler), 1512. Dav-8771; Divo-4; Hu-422. Three figures with heads in hands, date below. Reverse: Three shields crowned and supported by two lions in circle of 16 shields. Curious with three saints standing, holding their own decapitated heads! Very early dated taler. Rare and historically compelling, this is one of the best struck and most attractive pieces to be found. NGC graded AU-55.
The three figures portrayed here are the saints Regula and Felix, with their servant Exuperantius. Legend has it that they were Roman soldiers of the Theban legion, and when the legion was to be executed they fled. They were caught and beheaded. Yet, headless, they walked forty paces up a hill. The site of their execution is where the wasserkirche stands in the old city of Zurich.
Estimated Value $9,000 - 10,000.
Ex Irving Goodman Collection; Ex John Story Jenks collection and M & M's 45th anniversary sale in 1971 (realized CHF 4300).
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| Realized $14,950 |
