Contemporaries in the Holy Roman Empire
Thaler 1542, Buchholz T. Ø 39 mm. Keilitz 193; Schnee 102; Dav.9734. Obv.: IOHANnes FRidericus - ELECtor·DVX - SAConiae·BVRGgravivs - MAGDEBurgensis with the coat of arms: Electorate/Saxony (top), Margraviate Thuringia (right), Magdeburg (bottom) and Meissen. Effigy of John Frederic dressed as elector and holding the electoral sword on his shoulder. Rev.: MAVRITIVs - DVX·SAX - ONIaE·FIE - RI·FECit·T· [ T = Sign of the mint in Buchholz] with the coat of arms: Duchy Saxony (top), Thuringia (right), Palatinate of Saxony (bottom) and Margraviate Meissen. Effigy of Maurice dressed with a coat looking to the left. Date in the field: 15- 4Z.
Thaler 1543, Buchholz T. Ø 39 mm. Keilitz 196; Schnee 117; Dav.9736. Obv: IOHANnes Fridericus - ELECtor·DVX - SAXoniae·BVRGgravivs - MAGDeburgensis with the arms: Electorate & duchy Saxony (top), Thuringia (right), Magdeburg (bottom) and Meissen (left). Effigy of John Frederic holding electoral sword as before. Rev.: MAVRITIVs - DVX·SAX - ONIaE·FIE - RI·FECit·T· [ FIERI FECIT = Caused to be made ] with the arms: Duchy Saxony (top), Margraviate Thuringia (right), Palatinate of Saxony (bottom) and Margraviate Meissen. Armored effigy of Maurice to the left, a battle axe on his right shoulder, a sword handle in his left hand, date in the field: 15 - 43.
Thaler 1547, Freiberg. Ø 39 mm. Keilitz 192.1; Schnee 115; Dav.-. Obv.: IOHANnes Fridericus - ELector·DVX - SAXoniae·BVRgravivs - MAGdeburgensis·Z - Arms in the legend: Electoral Duchy of Saxony (top), Margraviate Meissen (right), Landgraviate Thuringia, Duchy of Saxonia (left) - Bust of John Frederic I in electoral dressing carrying electoral sword. Rev.: MAVRIcivs - DVX·SA - Xoniae·FIlius·IVSti - FREIberg (star) [star = mm. A. Alnpeck in Freiberg] FILIVS IVSTI = son of Henry the Pious Arms in the legend: Duchy of Saxony (top), Meissen (right), Palatine county Saxony, Thuringia. Armored effigy of Maurice between date 15 - 47. Little effort was made for the picture of Maurice. It is not a realistic portrait.
Note the difference to the next thaler, issued in the same year!
Thaler 1547, Annaberg. Ø 40 mm. Schnee 680; Dav.9786. MAVRICIVS·D:G·DVX:SAXO:SA:ROMA:IMPERII / ARCHIMARSCHAL:ET:ELECTOR·ANB The legende over both sides: "Maurice, by the grace of God Duke of Saxony, Holy Roman Empire / Archmarshal and Elector, (Mint:) Annaberg" Here the effigy of Maurice is much more realistic.
Compare with a portrait painted by Lucas Cranach the Younger ca. 1550.
Thaler 1549, Annaberg. Ø 40 mm. Schnee 690; Dav.9787. Obv.: MAVRICIVS - :Dei:Gratia:DVx:SAXoniae - :SAcri:ROmani:IMPerii: "Maurice by the grace of God duke of Saxony, Holy Roman Empire" arms in the legend: Meissen (top), Palatinate Saxonia (right), county Brehna (left) Rev.: ARCHIMAR - SCHAL:ET: - ELECtor:ANnaBerg "Archmarshal and elector, (mint) Annaberg" arms in the legend: Mgft. Meissen (top), county Altenburg (right), Landgraviate Thuringia (left) In the field a shield: Saxony, Meissen; below: Palatinate Saxony, Landsberg; center: Electoral Duchy of Saxony. |