NEWP: 1761 Cologne taler
worldcoinguy
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Auction description from Heritage:
Cologne. Sede Vacante Taler 1761 AU55 NGC, KM159, Dav-2176. One-year type. Obv. St. Peter with cross shield on clouds. Rev. Mary with child surrounded by three magi. A highly elusive issue, better struck than most, with significant original gleam in the fields and light pastel toning accents over both sides.
My comments:
Only 2 of this 1761 sede vacante issue have been graded at NGC and PCGS combined. Cologne talers are not easy to find in general, and even more difficult in a ‘non-details’ state. NGC has graded a total of 9 Cologne talers across all centuries, PCGS has graded 3, and only one in this population of 12 is mint state. This particular piece commemorates the empty seat after the death of Clemens August of Bavaria, Archbishop-Elector of Cologne (1723–1761). The crude design is atypical of late 18th century taler designs, and is often mistaken for wear. A reliquary in the Cologne cathedral is said to hold the bones of the 3 magi, which is a theme common to Cologne coins and medals. The Shrine of the Three Kings is a fascinating piece of history in itself – pic below.
NGC AU-55
DAV-2176; Zepernick 41
Shrine of the Three Kings:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrine_of_the_Three_Kings
Comments
Very nice! Congrats!
Just wondering... 1761 was also a 'Sede Vacante' issue for Munster; do they share the same archbishop?
EVP
How does one get a hater to stop hating?
I can be reached at evillageprowler@gmail.com
Thanks EVP. Clemens August of Bavaria was an influential man of his time. He was the archbishop of Cologne, and prince bishop of Munster, Osnabruck, and Hildesheim. All 4 of these states issued sede vacante coinage and medals upon his death. I am still working on tracking down some of the more scarce pieces.
Beautiful design, congrats!
Virtus Collection - Renaissance and Baroque Medals
Very nice congrats!