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2 Guldengroschen - Frederick III
| Issuer | Saxony (Ernestinian Line), Electorate of |
|---|---|
| Year | 1486-1525 |
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| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
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|---|---|
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| Obverse lettering | FRID ° DVX ° SAX ELECT ° IMPERI ° QVE ° LOCVM ° TE NES ° GENERAL 1519 |
| Reverse description | A large, boldly struck imperial double-headed eagle displayed in the center of the field, its wings spread wide and its two heads facing outward, each surmounted by a nimbus or orb. Upon the eagle's breast is superimposed a quartered Saxon electoral shield bearing the barry with a crancelin over all. The talons of the eagle grip ornate foliate scrollwork at the base of the design. The encircling Latin legend, separated by annulet stops, reads MAXIMILIANVS ROMANORVM REX SEMPER AVGVST, referencing Emperor Maximilian I as suzerain. |
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| Additional information |
The Guldengroschen was Saxony's answer to a mounting practical problem: large silver coins capable of replacing gold in wholesale trade. The Ernestinian dukes — Frederick III, John, and George jointly — began issuing these pieces at a moment when the Erzgebirge mines were producing silver at a rate that made such ambition financially plausible. This double piece, at over 55 grams, pushed the denomination to its practical limit for hand-struck coinage.
Davenport's classification under GT I places it among the earliest true taler-weight multiples in the German series, predating the standardized Joachimsthaler by roughly a quarter century.