Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 23004 - Ancient and British Coins - Featuring the 'White Rose' Collection
Lot: 294

Poland, Friedrich August II [Augustus III Sas] (1733-1763), "Seven Years War" Gold 5-Thaler or "Mittelaugust d'Or", 1755 EC [struck as late as 1758/1759], Leipzig, dies by Ernst Dietrich Croll, D • G • AVGVSTVS • III • REX • POLONIARUM • crowned, draped and cuirassed bust right, rev. SAC • ROM • IMP • ARCHIM • ET ELECT • 1755, crowned and floral garnished oval shield, dividing E-C, 5•TH• below, edge chevron milled, 6.59g, 12h (Fb. 2859; Hutten-Czapksi 2891 [R1]; Kaleniecki 502; Kahnt 669; Kopicki 2151 [R2]; Olding 468; Parchimowicz 1326b; Tyszkiewicz 18), collection no. 11 punched behind head, and once lightly cleaned, otherwise residually lustrous with hints of tone, struck details very fine, very rare

During his reign, the crown mints in the Republic of Poland were not yet in operation. Nevertheless the king, without the consent of the Sejm and Senate, began minting crown coins in the Saxon mints. Initially, these were copper coins, and after 1752 also gold and silver specie. The successful invasion of Prussian troops into Saxony at the outset of the Seven Years' War (1756-1763), witness the Saxon mint at Leipzig falling into Prussian possession. The mint was leased to a consortium that continued to coin at a reduced fineness. The Saxon and Polish dies found there, were re-employed without further revision to calendar date, rendering them visually indistinguishable from their pre-war contemporaries.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£2,000

Starting price
£350