½ Thaler - August I 1557-1570 front ½ Thaler - August I 1557-1570 back
½ Thaler - August I 1557-1570 photo
© Leipziger Münzhandlung und Auktion Manfred Höhn

½ Thaler - August I

 
Silver - -
Description
Issuer
Electorate of Saxony (Albertinian Line) (German States)
Issuer
Electorate of Saxony (Albertinian Line) (German States)
Prince elector
​​​​​​​Augustus I (August I) (1553-1586)
Prince elector
​​​​​​​Augustus I (August I) (1553-1586)
Type
Standard circulation coin
Type
Standard circulation coin
Years
1557-1570
Years
1557-1570
Value
½ Thaler
Value
½ Thaler
Currency
Thaler (1493-1805)
Currency
Thaler (1493-1805)
Composition
Silver
Composition
Silver
Shape
Round
Shape
Round
Demonetized
Yes
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-05
References
Numista
N#184450
Rarity index
100%

Reverse

4-fold arms in ornate frame with central shield of electoral Saxony, titles continued.

Script: Latin

Interesting fact

One interesting fact about the ½ Thaler coin from the Electorate of Saxony (Albertinian Line) is that it was minted during a time of great religious and political upheaval in Europe. The coin was issued during the reign of August I, who was a Protestant and a strong supporter of the Lutheran Church. This was a time of religious conflict and tension between Protestant and Catholic states, and the coin may have been used as a symbol of the Electorate's allegiance to the Protestant faith. Additionally, the coin was minted during a period of economic and political instability, as the Holy Roman Empire was facing challenges from the rise of new Protestant states and the decline of its own power. Despite these challenges, the ½ Thaler coin remained a widely used and respected form of currency throughout the German States.