Election into Order of the Garter

Sale: Triton XI, Lot: 1292. Estimate $750.  Closing Date: Monday, 7 January 2008.  Sold For $600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

GERMANY, Sachsen-Albertinische Linie. Johann Georg IV. Elector, 1691-1694. AR Taler-Klippe (25.60 g, 9h). Commemorating the election of Johann Georg IV into the English Order of the Garter. Johann Koch, mintmaster. Dated 1693. Crowned script JG 4 monogram framed by garter band inscribed HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE •; coats-of-arms of Sachsen, Cleve, Berg, and Jülich in corners; 16 93 in exergue; the whole within reeded border / DIS = MALE = CERPENDUS QUI MALE´ SENTIT ERIT •, crossed raised swords over crowned laurel wreath; below, 1 • THAL • in pearl-bordered cartouche flanked by I K•; coats-of-arms of Westphalia, Engern, Thüringen, and Meißen in corners; the whole within reeded border. C&K 692; Schnee 977; Merseburger 1311; Davenport 7649. Good VF, toned.

This klippe commemorates the election of Johann Georg IV into the Order of the Garter, an exclusive society of knights founded around 1348 by Edward III of England. The motto surrounding the monogram on the obverse, HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE, can be loosely translated as “Shame on him who thinks ill of it.” The precise details surrounding the origin of the order are not known, but several myths attempt to explain it. All of these legends involve a garter band, which has become a symbol of the society. This garter, inscribed with the order’s motto, is still worn by members during official ceremonies.