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1 Thaler - August Conquest of Gotha
| Issuer | Saxony (Albertinian Line), Electorate of |
|---|---|
| Year | 1567 |
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| Currency | Thaler (1493-1805) |
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| Reverse description | The reverse bears a nine-line Latin inscription filling the entire field, surrounded by a beaded inner border. The text commemorates the capture of Gotha in 1567, the punishment of the imperial proscribed enemies, the siege, and the flight of the remaining rebels, attributing the victory to August, Elector of Saxony. The lines read: MDLXVII / GOTHA CAPTA / SVPPLICIO DE PRO / SCRIPTIS IMP HOS / TIB OBSESS SVMPTO / COTERISQ FVGATIS / AVGVSTVS D SAXO / ELECTOR OC F F, with the mintmaster's initials F F at the base. The letterforms are in a bold Renaissance Roman capital style consistent with Saxon thaler production of this period. |
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| Mintage | 1567 HB - MDLXVII |
| Additional information |
This thaler commemorates the forced submission of Gotha following the 1567 Grumbach Feud, one of the more dramatic episodes of mid-sixteenth century Imperial politics. Wilhelm von Grumbach, an outlawed Franconian knight, had manipulated the young and unstable Duke Johann Friedrich II of Saxony (Ernestine line) into sheltering him at Gotha despite an Imperial ban. Elector August of the Albertinian line led the Imperial siege that ended the standoff in April 1567. Grumbach was captured and executed with extraordinary brutality; Johann Friedrich was imprisoned for life.
The Albertinian Electors rarely missed an opportunity to commemorate military and political victories in silver, and this piece is no exception. Davenport's GT I listing reflects its recognition as a major taler type rather than a minor commemorative variant.