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 Replies: 5 / Views: 2,093 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
7933 Posts |
I recently ran across an example of this coin at auction, and was intrigued by the issuing authority, "Silesian Evangelical STates." https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces91171.htmlDuring the Thirty Years' War, there were several instances where Protestant City-States banded together and formed alliances for mutual defense purposes. The best known ones were the German Protestant Union (1608-21)and the Heilbronn League (1633-35) both of which involved German principalities. As best I can tell (I could not track down much with an internet search), the Silesian Evangelical States were an analagous alliance among the Silesian cities of Breslau, Legnitz and Brieg. At the time, Silesia was majority Protestant, but the nobility, and their overlord, the King of Bohemia were Catholic. From a numismatic viewpoint, I think this was the only one of these alliances to issue coins (silver kreuzer and gold ducats were issued 1633-35). If anyone has better information on this unusual issuing entity, I would be grateful for a link. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
7933 Posts |
I recently acquired a coin from this issuing entity, AND and explanation, from a Czech numismatist. First the explanation: In a later phase of the 30 Years War, long after the Czech/Bohemian revolt of 1618-1620, the Swedish, Saxon and Brandenburg armies operated in Silesia from 1633 to 1635, on the Protestant side of the conflict.
The Confederation of Protestant Estates (duchies and cities) in Vratislavia (Wroclaw/Breslau) was established on 4th July 1634, with Duke John Christian of Brzeg-Legnica-Wolow as leader of this confederation. There was a second open rebellion against the emperor Ferdinand II. The Confederation created its own state structures (coins, taxes, army). From a numismatic viewpoint, 3 kreuzers, thalers and gold ducats (mainly for army salary) were coined in Vratislavia´s Royal Mint. The ruler of Saxony, John Georg I. signed a peace agreement with the emperor Ferdinand II. (Pražský mír) in May 1635. Saxon troops left Silesia. The Saxon example was followed by Brandenburg. The Swedish troops were defeated by the end of 1635 by the emperor's armies. That was the end of rebellion in Silesia. The coin is not in the best condition (looks like it's been through a war  ), but is a fairly scarce type: Obv: Silesian eagle, denomination in oval below. MON PRINC ET STAT EVANG SIL (Coinage of the Protestant Princes and Cities of Silesia?) Re: Motto in 5 lines, date below. SI DEVS/PRO NOBIS/*QVIS*/CONTRA/NOS (If God is for us, who can be against us)   Edited by tdziemia
03/23/2021 09:50 am
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Pillar of the Community
Sweden
2124 Posts |
Great coin! Full of history that one!  The legend reads Moneta Principum Et Statuum Evangelicorum Silesiae, translated Money of the Princes and Evangelical States of Silesia, or with the terminology in the text, Money of the Princes and Protestant Estates of Silesia. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7933 Posts |
Thanks very much for that clarification erafjel. Without a reference I wasn't sure if the STAT part was like stadt (city) or estate.
My understanding is that the term "Estates" in these instances pertains to a combination of the nobility and influential burghers.
This particular coin obviously had some issues with both the die (seen in the spaces between the feathers on the eagle's right wing), and the planchet.
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Pillar of the Community
Sweden
2124 Posts |
About estates, certainly nobility and clergy. I don't know if burghers had representation at this level, at this time. A city council's mayor perhaps? Some form of representation for the cities in the confederation seems reasonable.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7933 Posts |
... and the only other type from this issuing entity that I can afford (it is much more easily found than the first one). Again 3 kreuzer = 1 groschen, 1635 (minted two years, 1634-35). Here the motto SI DEUS PRO NOBIS ... is found around the coat of arms reverse.   |
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Replies: 5 / Views: 2,093 |
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Posted 03/23/2021 12:05 pm
