2016-12-06 Tue

An auction by Numismatik Lanz on 7th December is going to sell a 1640 gold 5-ducat coin celebrating the new fortifications around Munich during the Thirty Years’ War. The war has been Europe’s tragedy, but the coinage that evolved during this era is fascinating. The auction will also offer ancient coins along with the coins of the Holy Roman Empire.

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

The reverse features the city of Munich, with Madonna and child between two angels on clouds and an inscription from Psalm 127:1, “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 Baroque coin weighs 27 grams and has an estimated value of €10,000 (about $10,606 U.S.).