GERMANY. Sachsen-Ernestinische Linie. Kurfürstentum. Georg, sole reign, 1530-1533. 1 1/2 Guldengroschen 1527 (Silver, 44 mm, 47.15 g, 12 h), Annaberg. ✱GEORGIVS:DEI:GRACIA:DVX:SAXONIE•&•C // ✱ANNO•DOMINI•M•D•XXVII•ETATIS•SVE•LVI Draped bust of Georg to left. Rev. •SIT:NOMEN:DOMINI:BENEDICTVM• Helmeted coat of arms. Davenport 9784. Engelhardt 147. Keilitz G5. Madai 1432. Schnee 659. Very rare and beautifully toned. Minor smoothing, tooled and light traces of mounting, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.


The artist behind this rare Renaissance medal is likely the renowned Annaberg goldsmith and die cutter Hieronymus Magdeburger, a contemporary of Albrecht Dürer. Before being appointed chief die cutter of the Annaberg mint by Duke George, Magdeburger had already crafted dies for the mints in Freiberg and Schneeberg.