1/2 Thaler - Markus Sittikus von Hohenems

Markus Sittikus von Hohenems became Archbishop of Salzburg in 1612 largely through the influence of his uncle, Cardinal Altemps, and the backing of the Habsburg court — not through any particular ecclesiastical distinction of his own. His reign is better remembered for commissioning Hellbrunn Palace and its famous trick fountains than for administrative accomplishment. The Salzburg mint continued striking half thalers through his tenure as a matter of commercial necessity, silver from the nearby Gastein and Rauris mines feeding production throughout the period.