GERMANY. Sachsen-Albertinische Linie. Friedrich August II, 1733-1763. Medal 1733 (Silver, 42 mm, 28.85 g, 12 h), on the homage paid by the city of Freiberg upon his accession to the throne. By. J. W. Höckner. D•G•FRIDER•AVGVST•PRREG•POL•& L•DVX•SAX•& ELECT IPSE SVE GENTIS LVX PLACIDVSQUE AMOR✱ Cuirassed bust of Friedrich August II to right; below, OBSEQ VIVM RENOVAT VETVS VRBS / CELEBRATA FIDELIS•D•9•IVN•AO•1733•. Rev. FREYBERG DIE ALTE VND GETREVE✱VERSPRICHT DIE ALTE TREV AVFS NEVE // GLUVK - AVF! View of the city of Freiberg with fortifications, in the foreground above-ground and underground mining facilities; below, coat of arms. Merseburger 1672. Müseler 56.1.3/1 a. Rare in this condition. Lustrous and beautifully toned. Tiny marks on the obverse, otherwise, good extremely fine.


This medal, by virtue of its module, also served as a coin; its intrinsic silver content corresponded to the Taler standard. The reverse presents a finely detailed tableau of early eighteenth-century mining practice. At left appears a divining-rod bearer, while two windlass men operate the hoisting gear. Nearby, a miner is engaged in shaft sinking, shown in the act of throwing his shovel.

Particular attention should be paid to the horse-powered whim with its associated superstructure, as well as to the activity underground. There, four miners are depicted hewing ore with hammer and chisel. A trammer pushes the extracted material toward the shaft station, while another miner climbs the ladders in the manway toward daylight.

The inscriptions on both obverse and reverse employ capital letters as a chronogram, indicating the year of homage and striking: 1733.