Centennial of the Reformation

Sale: Triton X, Lot: 936. Estimate $2000.  Closing Date: Monday, 8 January 2007.  Sold For $3250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

GERMANY, Straßburg (Stadt). AR Taler Klippe (28.09 g, 12h). Commemorating the centennial of the Reformation. Dated 1617. + OMNIS (rosette) TERRA (rosette) ADORET (rosette) DEVM (rosette) ET (rosette) PSALLAT (rosette) EI • in outer row; (quatrefoil) LVX (rosette) POST (rosette) TENEBRAS (rosette) MDXVII : in inner row, coat of arms of Strassburg / • (quatrefoil) PRO (quatrefoil) • / RELIGIONIS • / CENTVM • ANTE • / ANNOS • DIVINITVS / RESTITVTÆ • MEMO / RIA • NOVIQVE • SECV / LI • FELICI • AVSPICIO / S • P • Q • ARGENTOR • / F • F • A • MDCXVII • / CAL • NOVEMB • in ten lines; arabesque below. Davenport 5846 (note). Near EF.

As an Imperial Free City of the Holy Roman Empire since 1262, Strassburg was able to enjoy a good measure of independence in southwestern Germany. It adopted Protestantism during the Reformation and, as a result, attracted immigrants from areas of Europe where non-Catholics were persecuted. In addition, the city became a major center of learning and book printing. This klippe, struck to commemorate the centennial of the Protestant Reformation, reinforces Strassburg’s role as a focus of Protestant teaching and practice.