GERMANY. Lauenburg (Herzogtum). Julius Franz von Sachsen, 1666-1689. 2/3 Taler 1678 (Silver, 37 mm, 14.63 g, 9 h), Nuremberg countermark by the Franconian Circle, Lauenburg. IVL:FRANC:SAX - ANG•WESTP.DVX. Cuirassed bust of Julius Franz to right, Nuremberg countermark 60 N (Kreuzer) over CF (Circulus Franconicus) monogram. Rev. THV.RECHT.SCHEV.NIMANDT Crowned quartered arms, [16] (2/3) 78 below. Davenport 604. Dorfmann 113a. Nicely toned. Small scratches on the host coin, otherwise, host coin fine, countermark good very fine.



The Franconian Circle was one of the ten Imperial Circles of the Holy Roman Empire, covering much of present-day northern Bavaria as well as parts of Thuringia and Baden-Württemberg. The Imperial City of Nuremberg was responsible for examining foreign coinage and, when the silver content met the required standard, applying a countermark that approved the coins for legal circulation within the Circle.