GERMANY. Sachsen-Albertinische Linie. August, 1553-1586. Taler 1554 (Silver, 40 mm, 28.93 g, 1 h), Freiberg. AVGVSTVS - D:G•DVX•SAX - SA•RO•IMP Draped and facing half-length bust of August, holding sword in his hands. Rev. ARCHIMAR - SCHAL•ET•E - L•FRI•1554 Coat of arms between two pellets; behind, angel supporter. Davenport 9789. Keilitz/Kahnt 45. Merseburger 656. Schnee 700. Very rare and unusually well preserved for this difficult issue. Somewhat cleaned and with minor doubling, otherwise, about extremely fine.


This popular thaler hails from the final years of the historic Freiberg mint. Following reviews commissioned by Elector August, it was discovered that the mint masters in Freiberg had independently lowered the fine silver content, causing the thalers to no longer comply with the Saxon mint ordinance of 1549. Despite resistance from the Freiberg city council, the mint was relocated to Dresden in 1556, bringing an end to nearly 400 years of coin production in Freiberg.