Holy Roman Empire - House of Habsburg Talers
Archduke Sigismund of Austria (1446-1490) Guldiner

Owner Comments:

1486. AUSTRIA. Tyrol. Guldiner (Guldengroschen). Sigismund (1439-90). Dav-8087; Levinson IV-49a; Frey-274. First of the large silver dated talers originating from central Europe, the type is unanimously considered the father of the Taler coinage that soon followed all through central Europe. The type is relatively rare with perhaps no more than 160 known specimens most of which have been mounted or tooled. Struck from silver mined using newer technology at what had been considered depleted deposits in Tyrol. A magnificent example of the type with glossy anthracite colored tone and a cornucopia of remaining detail for the assigned grade. The Count's effigy is clear and retains much of the facial details, with a reverse that is simply breath-taking, with every shield in the periphery fully struck and well defined. The knight's banner can clearly be seen flapping in the air above his charging horse. Everything about the coin, from the iconography to the state of preservation, combine to create a coin of the highest desirability. An opportunity that should not be missed for any advanced collector of Austrian Talers or related material. NGC EF-40.