Horses
USA - Delaware State Quarter


Obverse
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Reverse
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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description: 2G 1741 GERMANY SAXONY
Grade: NGC AU 58
Owner: brg5658
 
Set Category: Thematic & Topical Coins
Set Name: Horses
Slot Name: USA - Delaware State Quarter
Research: Currently not available

Owner's Description

Purchased on 9/25/2011. This is a two year 2 Groschen type coin (1741-1742) issued in the German State of Saxony. This example bears the date 1741, and was issued in silver with a diameter of 23 mm and a thickness of 1.2mm. The coin is of medalic orientation. The weak strike at the edges of the coin suggest that the flan was not of equal thickness throughout. However, the central details of the obverse (mounted rider) and the reverse (unoccupied throne) are superb. The obverse features Frederick Augustus II, Prince Elector of Saxony from 1733-1763. He is more widely known by the title of Augustus III, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, a title he had from 1734-1763. After his father's death, he inherited Saxony and was elected King of Poland, with the support of Russian and Austrian military forces in the War of the Polish Succession (1733–1738). As King, Augustus III was not interested in the affairs of his Polish–Lithuanian state, focusing instead on his personal interests including hunting, opera, and the collection of fine art. During his 30-year reign, he spent less than a total of 3 years in Poland -- instead, he delegated most of his powers and responsibilities to Heinrich von Brühl, who became a quasi-dictator of Poland. Also of note, the thirty years of Augustus III's reign was during the time of the Seven Years' War (1754 and 1756–1763). Some interesting historical information about Augustus III's life include: In 1733, the Saxon composer Johann Sebastian Bach dedicated his Kyrie and Gloria (of what would later become his Mass in B Minor) to Augustus in honor of his succession to the Saxon electorate. With regard to his personal and family life, on 20 August 1719, he was married to the Archduchess, Maria Josepha of Austria, daughter of Joseph I, the Holy Roman Emperor. They had fifteen children, the most notable of whom would arguably be Maria Josepha Karolina Eleonore Franziska Xaveria (1731-1767) who married into the French royal family and was the mother of Kings Louis XVI, Louis XVIII and Charles X of France. Louis XVI (the grandson of Augustus III) is famous for having been the only King of France to have ever been executed.

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