Saxony, Albertine line
Johann Georg I Wettin (1615-1656), Thaler 1630, Dresden mint
Obverse: armored bust of Johann Georg right, holding sword over shoulder and helmet
IOHAN GEORG D G DVX SAX IUL CLIV ET MONT
Reverse: Coat-of-arms surmounted by six helmets
SA ROM IMP ARCHIM ET ELECT
Weight 28.81 g
Johann Georg I replaced his brother Christian II in 1611, receiving the title of Augustus. Initially, he was allied with Emperor Ferdinand II, which met with disapproval of the Protestant part. Social dissatisfaction with the prince's policy and the lack of material benefits from the war in Bohemia caused that in 1631 Johann Georg I Wettin switched to the Protestant side and supported Gustav II Adolf. This period of the Thirty Years' War was one of the most troubled in Saxony, devastated by the imperialists and the Swedes. In 1648, a peace agreement was signed, obtaining the Lusatian Saxony as a fief. The principality was significantly weakened and lost its dominance over the German Protestant powers to Brandenburg.
