5 Thalers - Frederick Ulrich Löser

The Löser was a distinctly Brunswick invention — a large-format presentation piece struck at multiples of the thaler, never intended for trade but given as diplomatic gifts, baptismal offerings, and courtly rewards. Frederick Ulrich's reign (1613–1634) was administratively chaotic; he was widely considered incompetent, and real power shifted repeatedly between competing factions at court. That this 5-thaler Löser was struck in 1618 places it in the opening year of the Thirty Years' War, though Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel would not be drawn directly into the conflict until later.

Davenport's BrSL#39c designation indicates a specific die pairing within a closely related group — collectors should verify the reverse die against the 39a and 39b listings carefully, as the distinctions are subtle.