Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) - Silesia Defeated

Sale: Triton XI, Lot: 1251. Estimate $400.  Closing Date: Monday, 7 January 2008.  Sold For $450. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

GERMANY, Breslau. AR Dreivierteltaler Klippe. Siege issue. Hans Riedels, mintmaster. Dated 1621. + MONETA • ARGETEA • SILESIÆ • III • TALERO :, eagle facing, head left, with wings displayed, cross on breast; H R within tail feathers, 16 21 flanking; all within linear and pearl border; 4/M stamp above; monogram stamp below / Blank. Friedensburg & Seger 83; Mailliet 5. In an NGC slab graded VF 20.

Johann Georg von Jägerndorf, the Protestant ruler of Silesia, sent troops to Bohemia to assist Frederick V of the Palatinate in his fight against Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II. As a result of his actions in support of the Protestants, Johann Georg lost his territory in 1621 when the forces of Ferdinand II put down Frederick V’s rebellion. In the last days of the uprising at the end of 1621, Frederick sought shelter at Breslau in the hopes of organizing a last stand. However, his war weary allies sent no funding or military support. As the Austrian forces approached, Frederick retreated. Silesia, abandoned by its leader, was forced to make peace with the Holy Roman Empire. It issued a series of emergency coins to help pay its debts. This klippe, marked with a value of 3/4 taler, was part of that issue.