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. 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. 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 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 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. 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 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. 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. 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.
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.
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.
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!
I was hoping someone would chime in with that info. I couldn't find anything on that but they obviously loved there horses.
Stunning coins. It appears that the "Saxon steed" was appropriated by the Welf/Guelph family in and around Hannover beginning in the 14th century. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saxon_Steed