Siege or Fire Taler of Thorn 1629
(Gorny & Mosch Auctions, Munich, Germany, 2002)
This coin was one of the first things made when the mint reopened [ref?] and shows the City on fire with soldiers from the
beseiging army across the river. The reverse bears the date Feb. 16, 1629.
I'd like to get one in better condition so as to see more details.
There is an extensive discussion of coins of the Polish Monarchy on "Coin Community"
10th Century to the reign of Stefan Batory (1576-86)
Sigismund III Wasa (1588) until the end of the Kingdom, 1795.
Russian Occupation up through modern Poland -- Oh no period missing!!!
Polish Taler of Thorn 1629
Goldbergs Pre-Longbeach Auction 85,
May 31 - June 2, 2015 lot 4273
(photo by Glenn Onasi of Goldberg's)
I finally found a better one as illustrated at left. Though only slabbed VF-25 I believe the true grade is much higher as there's a lot of detail in the designs and the fields display original mint luster
This coin was one of the first things made when the mint reopened [ref?] and shows the City on fire with soldiers from the beseiging army across the river. The reverse bears the date Feb. 16, 1629.
This was the middle of the 30 Years War (1618 - 48) one of the most destructive wars to date, which Poland avoided.
The 30 Years War
Taler of Polmerania 1633, uncirculated(Stack's auction)
This coin definitely appears German from it's style, Polmerania alternated between being owned by Poland and Germany (Prussia?).
More info on Polmerania pending.
Thaler of Wladyslaw IV, 1634
(bought as AU but probably much nicer)
Karl Stephens, Fallbrook, CA, 1997-1998
Wladyslaw IV (Ladislaus or Ladislawitz in German, sometimes Vladislav in English) actually was fat with a double chin. He made 2 kinds of thalers: a life-like realistic thaler & a fanatsy portrait. This one is the more common fantasy portrait.
Wladyslaw IV was King of Poland from 1632 - 1648. Poland was really ruled by a group of Magnates & the King had very little power. Thus Poland was unable to raise a strong central army to defend itself & was readily invaded by anyone who wanted to invade: except for the Turks. The country would become unified to fight off the Muslem Turks but that was about it.
John Casimir taler 1649
(NYICS Stacks Auction,
January 16th, 2018
lot# 21309)
NGC AU-58
I think this coin has some historical significance
The reign of J. Casimir was one of currency debasement occasioned by the national treasury being depleted as a result of the Swedish invasions.
Taler of Stanisław August Poniatowski) 1766, mint state
(H. Karolkiewicz: Triton IV auction, Dec. 6th, 2000, lot# 2450)
This taler was made at the very beginning of Poniatowski's reign 1764-1795: the dissolution of the Republic.
It's a one-year type with regular (less ornate) talers being made from 1773 {or earlier?} - 1795.
Russia, under Czarina Catherine II,
Prussia, under Frederick the Great,
and Austria under Maria Theresa widow Queen of Hungary and Empress of Austria.
Stanislaw-August was an elected monarch, however, this was by an electorate lined with Russians (sound familiar ?). In 1755-8 he had been Polish plentipotentary in St. Petersburg and Catherine's most passionate lover. "To everyone's surprise, he turned out to be an ardent patriot, and a convinced reformer."
To this day he is remembered fondly in Poland as he worked dilegently to improved the lives of people there.
Targowica Confederation Taler (1793, au)
(H. Karolkiewicz: Triton IV auction lot# 2476)
"Struck from melted down table service and earrings during this tumultuous time in Polish history."
-- catalog p. 84.
1793 Taragowicki taler by Wiktor Kakareko