Continuing with our quest to look at the Thaler coinage of the Pre Empire German States we come to the second State listed under the letter "D" which stands for Dessau. The first thing we learned about the pre Empire German States is that very few stood alone. Such is the case with Dessau. All through its existance it was paired with Anhalt so is referred to as Anhalt-Dessau. Anhalt-Dessau was a principality and later a duchy located in Germany. It was created in 1396 following the partition of the Principality of Anhalt-Zerbst. The capital of the state was Dessau. Anhalt-Dessau experienced a number of partitions throughout its existence with Anhalt-Kothen being created in 1471. The principality was partitioned for a second time in 1544 with Anhalt-Zerbst and Anhalt-Plotzkau being created. From 1561 until 1603 Anhalt-Dessau was under the rule of the Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst, and in 1603 Anhalt-Dessau was recreated and raised to a duchy in 1807. Following the death of the last Duke of Anhalt-Bernberg in 1863 all of the Anhalt lands came under the rule of the Duke of Anhalt-Dessau who then took the new title of Duke of Anhalt for the newly created Duchy of Anhalt. Here's the location of Anhalt-Dessau (orange color) on the map of Germany (courtesy of Wikipedia): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AnhaltDK.png In 1670 this silver 2/3 Thaler (16 Groschen) was struck under the auspices of these five rulers: 1. Johann Georg II. von Dessau, 2. Victor Amadeus von Bernburg, 3. Wilhelm von Harzgerode, 4. Karl Wilhelm von Zerbst and 6. Emanuel Lebrecht von Köthen http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=985311&AucID=916&Lot=2249&Val=6aaad5a03427f4b7dd13fb98e745db07 The same Five leaders authorized this 2/3 Thaler (16 Groschen) in 1683 (Coin Archives photo): http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=985312&AucID=916&Lot=2250&Val=90473baa43ce78bf6e9933b05dfbf620 Johann Georg II governed Sachsen-Anhalt and Anhalt-Dessau simultaneously and authorized the striking of this silver 2/3 Thaler (Coin Archives photo): http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=985330&AucID=916&Lot=2268&Val=5457fdafec67c5f29f628e136e667ff2 In 1858 this silver 1/2 Thaler honored Josef von Stubenberg 1790- 1802 (Coin Archives photo): http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=961900&AucID=711&Lot=5357&Val=0ab1d6663dd130091c108d6bb8ade493 Leopold Friedrich ruled Anhalt-Dessau from 1817 until 1871. This silver 1843 Vereinsdopplethaler (Vereins 2 Thaler Fine Mark or 3 1/2 Gulden) is typical of that denomination during his leadership: Coin Archives photo. http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=997912&AucID=926&Lot=735&Val=8290a5bf9c222b92aa2a5ecca09aed99 This silver Doppelthaler is Typical of the Two Thaler coinage during Leopold Friedrich's leadership (Coin Archives Photo): http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=952740&AucID=707&Lot=4088&Val=fd296789456e57a8b3dcf6317e0a75ca This 1863 coin is typical of the silver Vereinsthaler minted while Leopod Friedrich reigned (Coin Archives photo): http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=1017013&AucID=938&Lot=1333&Val=a7a8f4e0c6b47b641d422881058db252 Hope you enjoyed seeing this Thaler Coinage of the Pre Empire German State Dessau. To be continbued... Clinker
Interesting hairdo on several of these pieces. And a nice "collection", Clinker, thank you! Just one thing - the half taler showing Josef von Stubenberg is not related to (Anhalt-)Dessau. Seems that the depicted lot shows two coins; the A-D vereintaler is on the left. The piece on the right is from Eichstätt (in Bavaria). Christian
