Regular Issues

Sale: Triton X, Lot: 940. Estimate $750.  Closing Date: Monday, 8 January 2007.  Sold For $500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

AUSTRIA, Salzburg. Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau. Archbishop, 1587-1612. AR 1/2 Taler Klippe (14.01 g, 12h). Undated issue. • SANCTVS • RVDBERTVS • EPS • SALISBVRG :, Saint Rupert seated facing on throne, wearing miter, holding staff in right hand, saltcellar in left / WOLF • TEOD : D : G : AR EPS • SAL : AP : SE : LE :, family coat of arms surmounted by cross; legate’s hat above. Probszt 832; Bernhart-Roll 1752. Good VF, toned.

Saint Rupert, Salzburg’s patron saint, is featured on many coins issued by the city’s ecclesiastical rulers. Salzburg was built on the site of an ancient Celtic (and later, Roman) settlement. Rupert is believed to have founded the modern town around 700. He is commonly depicted holding a saltcellar, symbolic of the city’s valuable salt mines, which inspired the city’s modern name.