SWEDEN. Gustav II Adolf den store (the Great). 1611–1632. AR Riksdaler (43mm, 28.51 g, 2h). Occupation of Würzburg. Würzburg mint. Dated 1632.

Triton XXV
Lot: 1260. Estimated: $ 1 000

World, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 2 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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SWEDEN. Gustav II Adolf den store (the Great). 1611–1632. AR Riksdaler (43mm, 28.51 g, 2h). Occupation of Würzburg. Würzburg mint. Dated 1632. Armored bust right, holding baton and globus cruciger; above, radiant name of God in Hebrew / Crowned coat-of-arms within wreath. AAJ 8; Antell 901 var. (obv. legend); KM 102; Davenport 4560B. Old cabinet toning, light scratches and marks. Good VF.

From the DMS Collection, purchased from James Beach, August 2011. Ex El Dorado 9 (14 September 1985), lot 66.

The capture of Prince-Bishopric of Würzburg by Gustav Adolf in 1631 brought the end to an important event in the city’s history, the largest mass trials and executions seen in Europe’s history. Already a site of Counter Reformation activity targeting suspected dissidents with accusations of witchcraft before the Thirty Years War, the largest Würzburg Witch Trials began in 1625 and encompassed people of all classes, with 219 people in the city and over 900 people in the bishopric being imprisoned and put to death before the city was captured on July 16, 1631. The supposed trigger for the claims of witchcraft were rumors that a frost that had destroyed a vine grape harvest had been caused by witchcraft. When several suspects were captured and admitted under torture to using witchcraft to accomplish the deed, the trials and executions began in earnest. After its capture, Würzburg’s witch trials abruptly ceased and it was used as an important base of operations for the Protestant forces striking at the Catholic army of Tilly under Habsburg employ.

The final winners of all Triton XXV lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 11-12 January 2022. Triton XXV – Session Four – Early Medieval & Islamic Coinage through Large Lots will be held Wednesday afternoon, 12 January 2022 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 22.50% for all others.

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