A very rare ducat of the Bishop of Wrocław, Joseph von Hohenlohe, struck at the highly desirable and sought-after Nysa mint.
The rarity rating of R4 given in Kopicki’s catalogue does not truly reflect its market presence – in fact, this is the only known specimen to have appeared in trade over many years.
Highest grade in the PCGS register. The coin impresses with its strong mint luster combined with sharply preserved details, giving it an outstanding appeal.
A true rarity – a highlight for the finest collections of Silesian ducats.
Obverse: bust of the bishop facing right, legend: IOSEPH D G PRIN AB HOHENLOHE WALD BART
Reverse: large multi-field coat of arms with episcopal crosier, princely hat and bishop’s cap, flanked by lions holding flags, legend: EPISCOP WRATISL PRINC NISS ET DUX GROTTKOW
During the reign of Bishop Franz Ludwig von Pfalz-Neuburg (1683–1732), the production of official coins resumed, but in 1701 the minting process was concentrated, prohibiting all feudal lords from minting smaller monetary units. Only the right to mint representative coins was left, and the bishop took advantage of it. As a result of the Silesian Wars and the annexation of most of Silesia by Prussia, episcopal power was significantly limited. After secularization in 1810, the bishops lost all their landed estates and all secular prerogatives, including the right to mint coins in the lost area of the Duchy of Prussia. Bishop Joseph von Hohenlohe-Bartenstein (1795–1817) was the last who, as Prince of Neisse, issued his own coins. In the following centuries, issues of bishop's coins were limited only to medallion issues.
