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Auction: 23006 - The Official COINEX Auction at Spink
Lot: 664

The Wilhelm Hüffer (1821-1895) Collection | NGC MS62 | German States, Münster, Friedrich Christian von Plettenberg (1688-1706), Reichsthaler, 1697 HLO, Münster, FRIDER : CHRISTI : D : G : EPISG • MONAS : capped and draped bust right, rev. BVRGGR : STROMB : S : R : I : PRIN : D : IN • BORCKELO, crowned and garnished shields, date above, edge obliquely milled, 29.12g, 9h (Schulze 156; Dav. 5616; KM 122), with a handsome mint lustre underlying old cabinet toning, a truly desirable example, almost uncirculated, and excessively rare, in NGC holder, graded MS62 (Cert. #6767911-001)

Provenance

The Wilhelm Hüffer (1821-1895) Collection of European Coins and Medals

with his envelope



https://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/6767911-001/62/



Friedrich Christian Freiherr von Plettenberg-Lenhausen (1644-1706), Prince-Bishop of Münster from 1688 till his death. In the role he demonstrated strong diplomacy and appreciation of education. It is said that he loved the festivities of the church and encouraged architectural and artistic development of the cathedral building, donating new silver candelabra, windows and a marble floor.



In 1689, he found himself involved in the Imperial War against France and the Turkish war in Hungary, but despite this was (and indeed still is) known as the 'Prince of Peace', owing to his uninterest in aggressive foreign policy. His domestic policy was also popular, as he reorganised the finances and administration of the region to develop infrastructure for public interest. He was responsible for introducing the expansion of roads, paths and bridges to support the growing postal system, the expansion of trade connections and the building of such highlight buildings such as the Nordkirchen Palace.



Schloss Nordkirchen was modelled on the Palace of Versailles, and it was architect Gottfried Pictorius who was asked by Plettenberg to develop the modest moated castle. For this endeavour, money was no object, and the final palace was complete with pleasure boats, canals and landscaped gardens. Sadly, Plettenberg didn't live to see the completion of the project but there can be no doubt that he would have been overjoyed to see the "manicured lawns and flower beds, statues of Greco-Roman gods and goddesses, cupids, leering satyrs and figures of hunting dogs and charging wild boars", truly "one of Germany's largest and most lavishly appointed castles" (NY Times, 'Germany's Island Fortresses', 2 May 1993).
Ultimately, Münster remained in economic prosperity during the time of Plettenberg and history remembers him in a positive light.

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Sold for
£15,000

Starting price
£8000