Very rare and desirable Neisse ducat of bishop Baltazar von Promnitz.
In 1515, Emperor Maximilian granted a privilege allowing Neisse to mint gold coins, which had a significant impact on the functioning of this mint. From that moment, in addition to the issue of silver coins, including groschen, throughout the 16th century, the regular production of gold ducats and their varieties began. This was made possible by easier access to gold mined in the nearby mines in Zlaté Hory. Previously, only a single ducat of Przemek, Prince of Opava, was minted from this raw material.
Already before the formal granting of the imperial privilege, bishop Johann Turzo (1506–1520) began issuing ducats, the first appeared in 1513, and the next in 1520. These coins depicted the bishop's coat of arms and the image of St. John, and the inscription MUNUS CESAR MAXIMILIANI, referring to the imperial grant, was placed on the rim.
The tradition initiated by Turzon was continued by the successive bishops of Breslau, Jacob von Salza (1521–1539), Baltazar von Promnitz (1539–1562), Kasper von Logau (1562–1571), Martin Gertsmann (1574–1585), Andrew von Jerin (1585–1596) and John VI von Sitsch (1601–1608). All of them issued ducats with similar parameters at the Nysa mint, both in terms of weight and diameter.
The offered specimen is lustrous, with well-preserved details in the relief. Some localized wear is visible in the background, yet the details of the saint and the coat of arms remain sharp.
A coin of great rarity, practically absent from the market. This ducat is known only from a handful of auction appearances and represents an exceptional opportunity to acquire an extremely valuable numismatic piece from 16th-century Silesian coinage. Highly recommended for demanding collectors of gold and Silesian coins!
Silesia, Duchy of Neisse, Balthazar von Promnitz (1539-1562), Ducat 1545, Neisse mint
Obverse: under the bishop's mitre, a four-field coat of arms
BALTASAR*D*G*EPISCO*WRATI*1545
Reverse: standing figure of St. John the Baptist in a halo, in a camel robe, the Saint holds the Lamb of God in his hands
*MVNVS*-*-*CESAR*MAXIMILIANI*
Gold, dimater 23 mm, weight 3.52 g
