2016-11-29 Tue

On December 7th, a gold 5-ducat coin from 1640 celebrating the erection of new fortifications around Munich during the Thirty Years’ War, will be offered at the Numismatik Lanz’s auction.

The Thirty Years’ War is a tragic event for Europe, but studying coinage from this era is interesting.

Sweden had occupied Bavaria and Munich after the Thirty Years War and elector Maximilian I strengthened the fortifications.

The obverse features Maximilian I holding a sword, the right hand rests on a stick, the left hand on the orb that is placed on a pedestal. The obverse inscription talks about Maximilian’s history of service in the Holy Roman Empire.

The reverse features scenes from the city of Munich, with Madonna and child between two angels on clouds, with an inscription reading “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.”

The Uncirculated coin weighs 27 grams and has an estimated value of €10,000.