© disha41754 (CC BY)
© disha41754 (CC BY)
1 Thaler Wespentaler - Henry Julius
1599 year| Silver | 29 g | 41 mm |
| Issuer | Principality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (German States) |
|---|---|
| Prince | Henry Julius (1589-1613) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 1599 |
| Value | 1 Thaler |
| Currency | Thaler (1499-1814) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 29 g |
| Diameter | 41 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#108618 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 95% |
Reverse
Crowned lion seated left, surrounded by ten wasps (6 left and 4 right of lion). Eagle with wings spread above; to left, rays emerging from cloud. all within wreath border.
Edge
Plain
Comment
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Julius%2C_Duke_of_Brunswick-Lüneburg
possible explanation of imagery:
Duke Heinrich Julius had a conflict with some noble families (Steinberg, Stockheim, etc.), and issued a few pieces that mocked at these families...This Mückentaler shows a lion, representing the Duke, who is attacked by ten mosquitos (those families). The eagle above symbolizes the Emperor who protects and helps the lion/duke. The allusions made on these pieces were by and large understood by the locals back then ...
http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=55253
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the 1 Thaler (Wespentaler) coin from the Principality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel is that it features a unique design element - a small shield with the letters "WES" inside, which stands for "Wespentaler," the name of the mint where the coin was produced. This shield is located on the reverse side of the coin, beneath the image of Henry Julius, the ruler of the principality at the time. This distinctive feature sets the Wespentaler coin apart from other coins of the same era and makes it a sought-after collector's item among numismatists.
