German State Sede Vacante Talers and Medals
Magdeburg - 1598 Taler

Owner Comments:

1589 Magdeburg taler struck during the seat of Joachim Fredrick, Administrator of Magdeburg (1566-1598). Classified as DAV- 9444.

The taler was issued during the waning years of the bishopric which fell to the Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels in 1635 after the Thirty Years War, and ultimately was secularized in 1680 when it was assigned to Brandenburg-Prussia. Of particular note is Magdeburg’s prominent role in the protestant reformation. Protestantism was taking root by the mid 1500s. Due to Calvinist influences, this archbishop was never officially recognized by the pope, which is why the title of administrator was used. Interesting also to note that Martin Luther was a young student in Magdeburg, and his writings were first published in Magdeburg.