Contemporaries in the Holy Roman Empire
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Jacob Fugger II the Rich, merchant 1485-1525
on coins The Fuggers were weavers and cloth merchants in Augsburg. Jacob I was involved in silver mining in the Tirol. His son Jacob II the Rich (*1459) aquired important trade concessions and set up an international trading net. James made substantial loans to Emperor Maximilian I and financed the election of Emperor Charles V. In recompense, mines in the Tirol were mortgaged to him. In 1514 he was made an imperial earl. He created a homestead for needy citizens, the "Fuggerei", a special quarter in the city of Augsburg to this day. He died childless and was succeeded by his nephews Anton and Raimund. They concentrated on enlarging their territories in an effort to break away from their costly engagements with the House of Habsburg.
Anton and Raimund were conceded the mint right in 1534. 
1/2 Schauguldiner, 1518, Augsburg. Ø 38mm 14,7g Schulten 921 , Forster 1060 Obv.: .IACobus:FVGGER:AVGVSTAnus:VINdelicorum:ANNO:DomiNI:1518. "Jacob Fugger from Augsburg, anno domini 1518" bust with cap
Rev.: APOLLO - ADSIT "Apollo may stand (me) by"
Discending Apollo crowns Neptun (Jacob Fugger?) holding a trident and standing on a dolphin as well as Mercur (Raimund Fugger?) standing on the globe. The allegory with Mercur, god of trade and traders, Neptun, god of the ocean, and Apollo, god of the arts, exemplifies James II outstanding position as a trader by land and by water. [Hess-Divo]
This commemorative coin was very likely modelled on a medal by Hans Schwarz (cast in lead, Ø 64mm, KMH Wien). |
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