1 Thaler

Issuer Erfurt, City of
Year 1617-1618
Type Standard circulation coin
Value 1 Thaler
Currency Thaler
Composition Silver
Weight 27.47 g
Diameter
Thickness
Shape Round
Technique
Orientation
Engraver(s)
In circulation to
Reference(s) KM#19.1, Dav CCT#5262, Leitzmann#486
Obverse description Framed arms with helmet above supported by two figures on the sides.
Obverse script Latin
Obverse lettering
Reverse description Date above arms instead on angel`s head.
Reverse script Latin
Reverse lettering
Edge
Mint
Mintage 1617 AW - -
1618 AW - -
Numisquare ID 1147055960
Additional information

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.

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