1 Thaler

Historical Context: The 1617-1618 Erfurt Thaler was struck during a precarious period for the Imperial City, immediately preceding the Thirty Years' War. Erfurt, a largely Protestant city, continually asserted its imperial immediacy against the Catholic Archbishopric of Mainz. This coinage declared Erfurt's civic autonomy and minting rights, often contested. These years marked a brief calm, with escalating religious and political tensions across the Holy Roman Empire profoundly impacting civic economies and minting.

Artistry: While a specific engraver for this Erfurt issue remains unrecorded, the coin exemplifies the robust late-Renaissance to early-Baroque numismatic style prevalent in German Imperial Cities. Artistry emphasizes clear heraldic representation and civic pride. Designs typically feature the Imperial Eagle on the obverse, symbolizing imperial protection, and the prominent Erfurt Wheel on the reverse, the city's ancient arms. Execution reflects skilled, often anonymous, municipal mint craftsmanship, prioritizing legibility and symbolic weight.

Technical/Grading: For the 1617-1618 Erfurt Thaler (KM#19.1), critical high-points for assessing wear include the Imperial Eagle's head, crown, and breast feathers on the obverse. On the reverse, examine the spokes and central hub of the Erfurt Wheel, plus the surrounding legend and date. Sharpness of lettering and mintmaster's initials are key indicators. Wear typically manifests first on these raised elements. Field preservation, luster, and strike uniformity are crucial for higher grades, reflecting 17th-century German minting variability.