Featured The Brunswick Steed

Discussion in 'World Coins' started by Chris B, Jul 24, 2020.

  1. Chris B

    Chris B Supporter! Supporter

    I have a passion for German States coinage. It started with coins that depicted the Wildman and just snowballed from there. The coinage of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel is what I find most appealing but by no means do I limit myself to pieces from this area. A common image is the leaping horse as depicted on the coin below.

    GerBru169505.jpg
    Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel 1695 2/3 Thaler (24 Mariengroschen)
    Obverse: Horse leaping left, 2/3 in oval below
    Ruler: Anton Ulrich
    Composition: Silver​

    I have heard some collectors refer to these as boring but some issues, especially the Thalers are anything but in my opinion. A well-struck high-grade example is particularly nice. I will be the first to admit that well-worn examples quickly loose there appeal. The design was used on denominations of Pfennig all the way up to multiple Thalers.

    This piece is well struck but the surfaces are pretty dull.

    GerBru171115.jpg
    Brunswick-Wolfenbuttle 1711 2/3 Thaler
    Obverse: Crowned complex arms
    Obverse Legend: GEORG: LUD: D o G o D o BR o & o LUN: S o R o I o ELECT:
    Reverse: Horse leaping left, value below
    Reverse Legend: IN RECTO DECUS

    Ruler: George Ludwig
    Composition: Silver​

    GerBru176605.jpg
    Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel 1766 2/3 Thaler
    Obverse: Armored draped bust right
    Obverse Legend: CAROLVS D o G o DVX BR o ET o LVN o
    Reverse: Horse leaping left, value divides date below
    Reverse Legend: NVNQVAM RETRORSVM

    Ruler: Karl I
    Note: 2/3 Thaler Convention.

    Composition: Silver​

    GerBru178935.jpg
    Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel 1789 2/3 Thaler (24 Mariengroschen)​

    This coin is perplexing to me. Over 150 years after being minted it was basically turned in to a love token. It's the only thaler I have ever seen that this has been done to.

    GerBru166303.jpg
    Brunswick-Luneburg-Celle 1663 Thaler
    Obverse: Helmeted arms
    Obverse Legend: CHRISTIAN: LUDOVI: CUS D.G. DUX BR: ET LUNEBERG
    Reverse: Rearing horse left
    Reverse Legend: SINCERE ET CONSTANTOR ANNO

    Note: Dav. #6521.

    Composition: Silver​

    GerBru181901.jpg
    Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel 1819 Pfenning
    Obverse: Horse running left
    Reverse: Denomination, legend and date

    Ruler: Karl II

    Composition: Copper​

    The last piece takes us away from Brunswick to Hannover. It is a common coin in uncommon condition. To me, this one is almost cartoonish.

    GerHan181805.jpg

    Hannover 1818 3 Mariengroschen
    Obverse: Denomination, date, Horse leaping left
    Obverse Legend: CONVENTIONSMUNZE.
    Reverse: C.H.H. below ledge

    Ruler: George III

    Composition: Silver
    Fineness: 0.4370
    Weight: 3.3400g​

    Horses are depicted on coins all over the world from ancient times to the present day. They are a sign of wealth, refinement, and power. This simple design is unlike the coinage found in other areas. In most cases, the horse is mounted or depicted along with other items.

    GerSax165701.jpg

    Saxony 1657 Thaler
    Obverse: Elector wearing robe and electoral hat, carrying sword over right shoulder, on horseback to right, small oval shield of 2-fold arms of electoral and ducal Saxony below, date at end of legend, which begins at 2 o'clock
    Obverse Legend: DEO ET - PATRIÆ
    Reverse: 12-line inscription with full name and titles of elector

    Subject: Assumption of the Vicariat upon death of Emperor Ferdinand III
    Ruler: Johann Georg II
    Note: Ref. Dav. 7628. Clauss / Kahnt 491, snow 904, Davenport 7628, collection Merseburger 1151

    Composition: Silver​

    Feel free to add on anything relevant or corrections. Does anyone know if there is any further significance to the simple horse design found on these coins? I have done some searching and found no definitive reasoning other than my assumptions above.
     
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  3. Seattlite86

    Seattlite86 Outspoken Member

    Great showing. Heres one from the neighbors to the north.
    Hannover 1 Groschen 1866 a-horz.jpg
     
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  4. PaulTudor

    PaulTudor Well-Known Member

    I did mentioned that i don't like some of the Saxony/Saxe Weimar talers, but the Braunschweig ones are appealing, the wildman, horse, bell/glockentalers and other types. If these are boring, how should the patagons be seen as and i'm not talking about the Liege ones! In the end, ''de gustibus non est disputandum'' and this will always be a subjective matter.
     
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2020
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  5. Chris B

    Chris B Supporter! Supporter

    That's one of the great things about this hobby. Everyone has there own niche. What is exciting to one collector does not appeal to another. I enjoy seeing the passion others have in there collections even if is something I wouldn't purchase.
     
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2020
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  6. physics-fan3.14

    physics-fan3.14 You got any more of them.... prooflikes?

    Is there some significance to the horse on the pieces of Brunswick? Were they known for exceptional horses? Or did they just like them?

    Is there some significance to the posture of the horse?

    You've shown some very attractive coins that are well outside my normal experience!
     
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  7. yarm

    yarm Junior Member

    Beautiful pieces!

    From Hanover to London
    Eimer 465 Accession of George I 1714.jpg
     
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  8. Chris B

    Chris B Supporter! Supporter

    Nice
     
  9. Chris B

    Chris B Supporter! Supporter

    I was hoping someone would chime in with that info. I couldn't find anything on that but they obviously loved there horses.
     
  10. SkidawayCoins

    SkidawayCoins New Member

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  11. Seattlite86

    Seattlite86 Outspoken Member

  12. jgenn

    jgenn World Crown Collector

  13. Seattlite86

    Seattlite86 Outspoken Member

  14. jgenn

    jgenn World Crown Collector

    Yes, I am the current caretaker.

    1663_GS_B-L-C_LW_1TH#1g.jpg
     
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