TRANSYLVANIA, Eastern Hungarian Kingdom. János II Zsigmond Szapolyai. 1540-1571. AR Taler (40mm). Necessity issue. Nagyszeben (Hermannstadt / Sibiu) mint. Dated
1565. Coat-of-arms; above, IO · SE · REX ·VN / Blank. Resch 46; MBR 226; Davenport 8796. Toned. In NGC encapsulation 6871733-005, graded AU 53.
From the late 16th century onward, Transylvanian history was characterized by the struggle between the rising power of the Habsburgs to the west, and the encroaching Ottoman Empire to the east. The local rulers struggled to retain their autonomy between these two massive empires, beginning with the rebel Eastern Hungarian Kingdom of Szapolyai kings, who contested the Habsburg accession to the Hungarian throne. These monarchs, as well as their princely successors, would generally seek the protection of the Ottoman sultan against the greater threat of the Austrians. Perennial conflicts wracked the region, as Ottoman and Austrian armies raged back and forth, punctuated by brutal civil wars between various foreign-supported claimants. The Habsburgs eventually took the upper hand after their victory over the Ottomans at the Battle of Vienna in 1683, leading to the loss of Ottoman protection for Transylvania and the deposition of the native rulers in 1691. The territory of Transylvania was fully incorporated into the Holy Roman Empire as a Grand Principality in 1745.
The complicated history of the region resulted in the production of an interesting and artistically important coinage. The 16th-18th century issues of Transylvania are among the most impressive issues struck in Europe at the time. In addition to the usual minors, talers, and ducats, the Transylvanian princes produced a number of large gold and silver multiples, both in the usual circular format and in more exotic hexagonal, sun, and moon shapes. During the various conflicts, several interesting necessity pieces were also struck.
