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NEWP: 1547 Luneburg "Moon Man" Thaler - PCGS XF 40

anthonythecoinmananthonythecoinman Posts: 95 ✭✭✭
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Germany (Luneburg) | 1547 “Man and the Moon” Thaler - PCGS XF 40 - Iconic Moon Face Design | PCGS Top Pop, Even and Original Grayish Tone, Decent Strike

Hi! I wanted to share another recent acquisition for my type set of European Crowns! The obverse features the distinctive Man and the Moon design that is a metaphor for the City (and not the Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg) which issued this Thaler—Luneburg. Here, “Luna” in Latin is “Moon!” The revere features the view of the city walls and the gate, along with three cute watchtowers that are spread out behind the wall.

This piece—the THALER—came in just a handful of years: 1546-48 and 1561-73.

I was drawn to this piece for my type set ever since seeing it in the cover and the couple photo slides in an old auction catalog I have had since college. I was quite drawn to the design and it looked so ”different“ from the other Thalers of the German States that I would see in the era. I do appreciate the EARLIER nature of this Thaler, as it was struck in the mid 16th centuries—a nice complement to my general focus and attention to 17th century series. We also see the goose mintmark for mintmaster Hermann Gante.

This piece has been graded by PCGS as an XF 40 and is tied with six others as a Top Pop. Generally, these pieces were rather crudely struck as they are earlier Thaler types, and often prone to defects like major planchet cracks or flaws. This piece has a pleasing and standard gray tone and has seen the days of circulation. A problem free example, there is a nice strike and well centering and no planchet stress that are often found in the center field of the obverse, moon side. The wear is even and usual marks determine this XF grade. I do love how the bricks on the wall are almost entirely elucidated along with some of the details on the watchtowers.

The characters surrounding both sides are entirely legible though there is some wear on certain parts of the legends. Lastly, and rather importantly, the moon and face design is clear and sharp, where we see the eye details very clearly along with the wrinkles on his face. Pretty cool and nifty and ... full of expression!

References: Davenport 9419, MB-65







Anthony the Coinman
_Keen Collector, Avid Researcher, Occasional Dealer
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Instagram: @anthonythecoinman

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