NEWP: 1623/2 Fugger-Babenhausen Thaler - NGC MS 61 - ex. Goodman (2002)

anthonythecoinman

GERMAN STATES (Fugger-Babenhausen) | Scarce 1623/2 Thaler - Toned NGC MS 61 (Top Pop!) ex. Goodman (2002) | Issue of Maximilian II of Babenhausen-Wellenburg | Underlying Luster and Sharp Strike, Excellent Planchet!

Today, I wanted to share another recent acquisition as I have been curating a small collection of Thalers and other European crowns. I shall try my best to go for quality and select coins with eye appeal.

This piece is the later year of a two year TYPE (1621 and 1623) and can be called a “Fugger Thaler.” They are quite a challenging type especially in a problem free and elevated grade level. Fugger Thalers are also a short series, when noting Davenport.
This piece is from one of the branches of the Fugger Family—here, Babenhausen—and was minted in 1623, though we note an overdate over 1622. This coin refers to Ferdinand II as the Emperor, a title he obtained in 1619. As background, the Fuggers were a merchant family with immense wealth and financed the Hapsburgs.

The obverse features the ornate quartered arms of Fugger, Kirchberg, and Weissenhorn which divide the date. The reverse features the iconic and beautiful crowned double headed eagle with sword and scepter in its claws and an orb on its breast and a circle of arches around.

This piece has been graded by NGC as a MS 61 and is a highlight of my European type set of crowns, including Thalers. This piece is top pop across NGC and PCGS and features an attractive and iridescent tone that comes from an old collection. The planchet is well formed and made with no flaws, such as cracks or stress. Lastly, the strike with underlying luster. A great addition to my (growing) type set of European crowns where I focus on originality!

Finally, one little nifty fact is that this piece is pedigreed to the Irving Goodman Collection and was auctioned in 2002 by @goldberg_auctions in their Auction 15. This piece was lot 422 and had a hammer price of $1093.

I do not mind having another Thaler that is ex. Goodman and complements my 1680 Transylvania Thaler from the same auction and provenance.

References: Davenport 6673, Kull-101c, KM 17.

worldcoinguy

Congrats Anthony - that is a very attractive and scarce taler. You were in the right place at the right time to be able to add that to your collection. Look forward to seeing more talers in the future.......you are off to a hot start.

MEJ7070

Excellent looking example. Congrats on the pickup.

anthonythecoinman

@worldcoinguy said:
Congrats Anthony - that is a very attractive and scarce taler. You were in the right place at the right time to be able to add that to your collection. Look forward to seeing more talers in the future.......you are off to a hot start.

Thank you very much Worldcoinguy! I was stoked and glad to add it to my humble type set! I try to go for the best "quality" I can get when I have an opportunity and always learn more about the history for each coin! I was really curious and learned a bit about the Fuggers ... and their many family lines!

anthonythecoinman

@MEJ7070 said:
Excellent looking example. Congrats on the pickup.

Thank you so much! Was stoked for my small Thaler or European Crown type set!