We are currently accepting qualities for the 3rd Limited Auction and the 16th Premium Auction
We would like to present another item from our upcoming limited auction. Extraordinary beauty and rare thalers of August II Strong, minted in 1716 in the Dresden Mint. The rarity degrees attributed to this coin do not reflect the actual rarity of this variety. An additional advantage is the initials of "Ilh", referring to the name and surname of the coinage director Johann Lorenz Holland, who was the director of the Mint in Dresden in 1698-1716. Holland was one of the more famous miners in Saxony. In trade, there is more often a variety with the initials of IGS Jan Georg Schomurg, who managed the Dresden Mint in 1716-1734. On Onebid platform, this year with ILH initials will be recorded for the first time!
August II Menages of Strong is one of the more interesting numismatic issues in Polish history, not only because of the richness and variety of coins, but also on the political and economic context of his reign. August II, who reigned in Poland in the years 1697–1706 and 1709–1733, was a man with great ambitions. As an elector of Saxony, he sought to strengthen his position in Europe, both in the international and country. His power over the Commonwealth, however, was limited by numerous political difficulties related to the functioning of the "free election" system and a lack of strong central power. In addition, the country struggled with numerous financial crises, resulting from the costs of wars, such as the Northern War (1700-1721), which exhausted the resources of the treasury. In connection with the above, August II's Menage was aimed not only at providing financial resources for war needs, but also to strengthen the monarch's authority. Wettyni were the first among the numerous princes of the Reich reached for the royal title. August II took the opportunity to present the royal title to his Saxon Saxon and all Reich countries on Saxon coins. In the first years of his reign, he even disregarded Pacta Conventa , who swore by joining the throne and, contrary to the ban on the beating of the coin without the consent of the Sejm, began the production of coins with Polish royal title, and the coat of arms of Poland and Lithuania in the Saxon mints.
August II tried to organize the financial situation of the Commonwealth, introducing some monetary reforms. However, in this respect, its actions were difficult by the Polish political system and by the lack of strong central power. Nevertheless, he introduced several significant changes. One of the characteristic elements of August II's Menage was the wide use of its image emphasizing the majesty on coins. The coins were not only a means of payment, but also a political propaganda tool. The king was aware that with the help of the image on coins he could strengthen his power and prestige, both in the country and abroad. During his reign, Rzeczpospolita was involved in numerous wars that had a serious impact on the economic and mint situation. The biggest challenge was the above -mentioned Northern War , in which the Commonwealth and Saxony were involved. The costs of war consumed huge sums of money, and the State Treasury was increasingly exhausted. In such conditions, it became necessary to search for new sources of financing, including by increasing coins emissions.
Currently, coins broken during the reign of August II are valued objects in numismatic collections. Due to their historical value, the variety of denominations and images, they are an interesting topic of research and interest. Many of these coins are wanted by numismatics. And coins in behavior as a presented thaler appear extremely rarely in trade.
Wójcicki Polish Auction House
ul. Zwiadowców 9
52-207 Wrocław
tel.: 696 875,000
tel.: 71 30 70 111
e-mail: m.wojcicki@wojcicki.pl
