Pattern coinage of this type was typically struck in precious metals for presentation to the sovereign or senior court officials — proof of the die-cutter's work before authorization to proceed with a circulating issue. Whether the standard 1/12 Thaler of 1820 ever reached full production in silver is a separate question; what matters here is that someone ordered this gold strike, and that decision places it firmly in the documentary record of Saxon mint activity under Frederick August I.
Schlumberger 964 is the controlling reference. The .986 fineness is consistent with Saxon presentation gold of the period.
Pattern coinage of this type was typically struck in precious metals for presentation to the sovereign or senior court officials — proof of the die-cutter's work before authorization to proceed with a circulating issue. Whether the standard 1/12 Thaler of 1820 ever reached full production in silver is a separate question; what matters here is that someone ordered this gold strike, and that decision places it firmly in the documentary record of Saxon mint activity under Frederick August I.
Schlumberger 964 is the controlling reference. The .986 fineness is consistent with Saxon presentation gold of the period.