GERMANY. Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel. Christian, 1617-1626. Taler 1622 (Silver, 43 mm, 29.00 g, 7 h), so-called Pfaffenfeindtaler. Lippstadt. CHRISTIAN:HERTZ:ZV:BRAVNSCHW:V:LVNENB✱ // GOTTES / FREVNDT / DER PFAFFEN / FEINDT. Rev. TOVT AVEC DIEV 1•6•22•✱ Arm from cloud on right holding sword upright. Davenport 6320B. Welter 1381. A rare type from the early days of the Thirty Years' War. Polished and with very minor areas of weakness on the reverse, otherwise, fine.


The Pfaffenfeindtaler coins, bearing the motto 'Tout avec dieu' ('All with God' in Latin) on their reverse, are also known as 'Gottesfreundtaler' ('Friends of God Thaler' in German). They were minted in 1622 at the behest of Duke Christian of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (1599–1626). The coins were struck in Lippstadt using church silver that Christian had seized during the looting of the cathedral treasury in Paderborn.