CNG 90, Lot: 2216. Estimate $200. Sold for $550. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

GERMANY, Sachsen-Ernestinische Linie (Kurfürstentum und Herzogtum). Johann Friedrich, with Philipp von Hessen. 1542-1547. AR Taler (40mm, 28.72 g, 4h). Struck for the occupation of Braunschweig by the Schmalkalder Bund. Goslar mint. Dated 1546. Half-length busy of Johann facing slightly right, wearing electoral robes and holding sword / Armored half-length bust of Philip left, holding baton. Koppe 228; Schnee 131; Davenport 9740. VF, fields smoothed, heavy tooling in devices. Rare.

From the HLT Collection.

Johann Friedrich, the Protestant elector of Saxony, was an important figure in the religious wars of the 16th century. Not only was he a personal friend of Martin Luther, but the elector also made sweeping reforms in his lands in support of the Protestant cause. In 1546, Johann Friedrich became embroiled in the Schmalkaldic War against Catholic Holy Roman Emperor Karl V. For the elector, the outcome was not good: he was defeated by Karl V at the Battle of Mühlberg in 1547 and imprisoned. When his cousin Maurice attacked Karl V in 1552, he was released and restored to power as a duke of Saxony. This coin was struck in the year of his release, just two years before his death.