NEWP: 1591 Transylvania Thaler of Sigismund Bathory - Late October Highlight - PCGS AU 50

anthonythecoinman

TRANSYLVANIA (Sigismund Báthory) | Scarce 1591 Thaler - PCGS AU 50 (Choice!) | Baia Mare (Nagybanya) Mint | Sharp Strike, Nice Cabinet Tone. Underlying Luster | Mid-Reign Issue of the Iconic Transylvanian Prince

Hi! Happy Friday! Today, I wanted to share one of my favorite pieces for the month of October. It is yet again, a classic Transylvanian Thaler. However, unlike my first one, graded by NGC and at the same grade, this piece is almost a hundred year older!

This 1591 Thaler was minted during the reign of Prince Sigismund Báthory which was way before Prince Michael Apafi. Apafi is depicted on my 1680 Transylvanian Thaler. Overall, this piece is rather an EARLY issue as there were some necessity UNIFACE Thalers from, say, 1565. Nevertheless, Davenport notes how catalog number 8802 had the years of 1590, 1591, and 1592, before jumping to 1593 for Davenport 8803. Hence, this piece is actually an earlier type and empirically, a rarer issue when looking at other Sigismund Báthory pieces from, say, 1595 (# 8804 with 7 graded at PCGS and 15 at NGC) or 1590 (# 8802 with 10 graded at NGC). This piece has 7 graded at NGC and 6 at PCGS. However, when compared to the Apafi series, these Báthory Thalers are more common, on average.

The obverse features the Prince holding a mace and armored, with beautiful ornamentation. The Latin script is "SIGISMVNDVS. .BATHORI" which is his name. The reverse features a crowned shield with angels supporting and the cool hat on top of it! Latin lettering of "PRINCEPS.TRANSSYLVANIÆ.1591."

This piece has been graded by PCGS as an AU 50 and features gentle and original toning on both sides, with some darker and attractive cabinet patina evident on the reverse edges. There is underlying luster for this choice AU piece with carefully preserved surfaces. The strike is decent though not the sharpest; yet, wear is of course minimal. Overall, this piece escapes the tooling, cleaning, and the dreaded mounting that are found on these large Thalers. Furthermore, the planchet is excellent with no clipping or edge cutting that is found, as made/minted, on these Báthory Thalers, which were roller pressed.

Just super excited to add another decent Transylvanian Thaler as the year comes to a close!

References: Huszar 125, Resch 76, Davenport 8802

JohnnyCache

I always liked those coins, but, for one reason or another, I just never ended up getting one.
Congratulations on the new acquisition.

anthonythecoinman

@JohnnyCache said:
I always liked those coins, but, for one reason or another, I just never ended up getting one.
Congratulations on the new acquisition.

Thank you for the comment Johnny! I just love them for the uniqueness of the designs and how it is different from, say, a Hall Thaler or a German Thaler!

ajaan

Love it.

Bob13

Congrats! Nice coin.

I am trying to figure out what is going on behind the right arm on the obverse? Some sort of repair work on the die?

These early talers are interesting!

anthonythecoinman

@ajaan said:
Love it.

Thank you! Building my type set!

anthonythecoinman

@Bob13 said:
Congrats! Nice coin.

I am trying to figure out what is going on behind the right arm on the obverse? Some sort of repair work on the die?

These early talers are interesting!

I wonder too! Something with the dies? I think others have it too I think? Thank you for your support!