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 Replies: 17 / Views: 3,430 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1429 Posts |
Salzburg - Ruler Max Gandolph Graf Kuenburg (1648-1687).
Date Struck 1682-1100th Anniversary of Bishopic State Obv: Eye of God above arms with saints standing on each site.
Rev: Patrons of Salzburg, five saints standing, facing.  Inspired by Brent's (wcg) appreciation and beautiful collection of commemorative Talers Edited by Zohar444
10/28/2008 9:45 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2703 Posts |
An incredible coin, very beautiful and impressive!
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
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Valued Member
France
285 Posts |
awesome coin, great details  |
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Valued Member
Poland
392 Posts |
Wonderful coin....  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1415 Posts |
 with all of the above!! Is it a recent pickup? Also the eye - seems similar to the 'seeing eye of the Masons'. Any relationship  |
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Valued Member
United States
217 Posts |
Interesting First of all, I love the taler Zohar. Nice original surfaces like that are the most desireable coins IMO.
Regarding the "eye of God", I think that is indeed an interesting topic with quite a varied history. I have another taler with the eye of God on it (I will post a pic in another response). I googled eye of God and found some interesting odds & ends about it.
The Eye of God is an equilateral triangle with a single eye inside it and almost always with rays emanating from it. It symbolizes the omnipresence and omniscience of God, who watches over all things. It is also associated with the Trinity (which the triangle symbolizes in itself).
I found references that the symbol's history dates back to the Eye of Horus in Egyptian mythology, but contemporary culture generally associates it more with European history. In European superstition, representations of an eye tended to be avoided because of the association with the Evil Eye. Medieval example of the Eye of God are rare, but the eye of God started to appear in art during the Renaissance. It became common cultural iconography in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The relation to the Masons is interesting. The symbol has been connected with Masonic ritual, and some speculate that it was probably because medieval masons' guilds were dedicated to the Holy Trinity. Another author speculated that it was generally associated with the Trinity during the 17th & 18th century, and this is the period in which the Mason rituals started to evolved. The early Masons might have gravitated towards the symbol due to the frequent use of the number 3 in their ceremonies and rituals. It was officially adopted in 1797 as the All Seeing Eye.
More recently, in the 18th and 19th centuries it was used in Courts of Justice to remind judges of their responsibilities.
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Valued Member
United States
217 Posts |
Here is another Eye of God reference on a german state taler from 1781. This taler was a one year commemorative issue taler from the state of Eichstatt issued upon the death of the bishop. This is often called a sede vacante taler.  Edited by wcg
02/18/2009 7:06 pm
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Valued Member
United States
217 Posts |
Here are a couple more examples of the Eye of God on other german state talers.   Edited by wcg
02/18/2009 7:07 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1415 Posts |
Interesting history on the 'seeing eye' Nice looking talers ya got there wcg. How about pics of the other side?  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
860 Posts |
great coin Zohar!! I can't look too closely or I might fall for them Take care! Jim |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1429 Posts |
Brent (wcg) - great background about the "Eye" as well as a wonderful coins. I find it harder to find such nice pieces. Keep'em coming!
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Valued Member
United States
217 Posts |
Thanks guys. Zohar - my apologies for redirecting your post in the opposite direction! Here are the reverse images of those 3 'eye of god' talers.    Edited by wcg
02/18/2009 7:09 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1429 Posts |
A similar 1628 Taler was sold on ebay. I opted for the raw, toned piece.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1429 Posts |
Grade from NGC came back, AU-58.
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Valued Member
United States
217 Posts |
Zohar - this is without a doubt my favorite of the 3 talers that you just received back from NGC. Maybe you should repost some more pictures of this one when you have it in hand. The patina on your example (the first picture I am assuming) is wonderful.
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Replies: 17 / Views: 3,430 |
Posted 10/28/2008 9:57 pm
