Breslau Taler and Minor

Zohar

Most of Silesia, along with Wroclaw (Later Breslau), was taken over by the Kingdom of Bohemia in 1335, at the time a part of the Holy Roman Empire. Upon the death of Henry VI, Breslau, and the entire province of Silesia was incorporated into the Kingdom of Bohemia. Breslau enjoyed a solid period of growth under Bohemian rule for almost two centuries. Good commercial and cultural ties with the Polish kingdom boosted the city's fortunes, evident in major constructions such as the City Moat, whose remains can still be seen today. Breslau turned Protestant in 1518, although from 1526 onwards the region of Silesia was controlled by the Catholic Habsburgs. Through the accession of the Spanish prince Ferdinand I to the Bohemian throne in 1526, Breslau, Bohemia and Hungary became Habsburg possessions. The city was on of the side of the Bohemian Revolt in 1618, but the Thirty Years' War saw occupations by Swedish and Saxon armies. The Habsburgs' rule marked 200 years of intolerance for the local Czech and Polish locals. They changed the city's name to Breslau and introduced a noticeable German character. Breslau was seized by Prussia in 1741 during the War of the Austrian Succession and was subsequently made the third capital city of the Prussian province of Lower Silesia, alongside Berlin and Konigsberg. In 1807 Breslau was taken over by Napoleon's Army and the demolition of the city's fortifications ordered by Jeróme Bonaparte. The Counter-Reformation was ushered in by the emperor of Austria, moving Catholics of all stripes into Breslau. The Counter-Reformation was a period of intellectual and artistic expression in Breslau, with this period of history being strongly influenced by resident German Baroque writers and poets. They constructed buildings for their religious orders that remained prominent parts of the city's scenery right through to 1945.



Now to coins. To echo EVP's sentiment - I am now officially broke!

This first Taler of Leopold the Hogmouth is probably the scarcest type I own. Seldom seen in auctions at any grade, in particular, problem free state. The Bohemian side of the Habsburg did not benefit for the similar technology the German or other Austrian mints enjoyed at the time. This resulted in crudely struck pieces with weakness evident on the planchet.

1677 SHS. Austria. Silesia. Breslau Mint (Poland). Leopold I (1657-1705) "The Hogmouth" Taler. DAV-3292. KM-4834. NGC XF-45.




Another minor coin in choice condition is the following 6 Kreuzer with the Hogmouth depiction

1675 SHS. Austria. Silesia. Breslau Mint. Leopold I (1657-1705) "The Hogmouth" 6 Kreuzer PCGS MS-63+.

JCMhouston

That taler looks very sharp for a 45, and I really like the look of the toning on the 6K.

WillieBoyd2

Nice coin!

I have this postcard which I bought from a California coin dealer in the 1960's.

It was mailed from Breslau, Germany to Berkeley, California, on July 2, 1938.


Breslau Dom (Cathedral)



July 2, 1938
After a thoroly (sic) enjoyable journey across Germany, thru Hildesheim,
Braunschweig (very old town), Halle, & Dresden, we have now reached the most
eastern part of this portion of our journey in this old south-Silesia town.
Anne is having a fine time & everyone has been kind & entertaining.
C.H.B.

The postcard is stamped
"15-17 Juli 1938 SA Reichswettkämpfe Berlin" (Reich's Competition)
and in a circle "BRESLAU 2.7.38.15"

worldcoinguy

Z - spectacular addition. A tough mint and very scarce taler.

WillieBoyd2 - neat postcard. I assume this is the same cathedral that was 70% destroyed a short 7 years later?
Breslau cathedral history

marcmoish

these are nice - thanks for sharing - they look well graded too!

EVillageProwler

Very nice pieces, Z, and an even nicer thread. Very educational with a nice bit of eye candy to make learning fun. What is the ratio of 6 Kr to a Taler? is it 1:4 or 1:8?

EVP

PS There's "officially broke" and then there's "too embarrassed to let your accountant know your financial state"... Guess which one describes my situation.

Zohar

Bohemia - 1 Taler = 24 groschen = 72 kreuzer. 1 Taler = 2 Guilders

Germany = 1 gulden = 4 mark = 24 albus = 48 schilling = 288 heller

Interesting read here -

Money values in 1632 (DOC File) - 1632 Money

Value of Money in 19th Century