5 Thalers - Frederick August II

Frederick Augustus II — Elector of Saxony and, as Augustus III, King of Poland — issued these gold pieces during years that coincided almost exactly with the opening of the Seven Years' War. Saxony was invaded by Prussia in August 1756, the Electoral treasury was seized, and the Dresden mint's operations were severely disrupted. That the series runs through 1758 reflects minting activity compressed almost entirely into the pre-invasion year of 1755, with later dates considerably scarcer as a result.