A unique clipa of the last of the family of the Upper Silesian Piasts.
A trial half-talar of Friedensburg Wilhelm, made in the form of a clipa, known only from this one piece!
Unlisted in the reference catalog for Silesian issues - Friedensburg und Seger. Described by Edmund Kopicki, with a rarity grade of R* (very rarely granted in the Directory). Derived from an outstanding collection of Silesian coins(Silesia in Nummis) offered at the auction of the Munich auction house Hirsch, in 1971. Described at the time as unique.
Today, despite the passage of more than 50 years, it is still the only known piece.
Frederick William assumed power in the Duchy of Cieszyn on July 13, 1617, following the death of his father, Adam Wenceslas. At least formally, since real power was exercised on his behalf by Elisabeth Lucretia (his older sister), while he lived in the Bavarian capital. Despite the prince's absence, mints in Skoczów and Cieszyn minted coins on his behalf. These were mainly low denominations, minted between 1620 and 1624, coinciding with the period of the monetary crisis known as the "Kipper- und Wipperzeit." High denominations were almost never minted! There were only two exceptions.
In 1623, referring to his father's monetary issues, classical thalers and a clipped half-taler were made. The thalers were minted at the mint in Cieszyn. Today they are known pieces (the last listing in international databases is the Kuenker 135 auction of 2008, with a price of $26580!). They were signed by the then mincmaster Hans Loss. The half thaler is signed with the initials E-S, of an unknown minter, and is unique.
Like the thalers of Adam Wenceslas, both Frederick's high denominations do not have the ruler's title or denomination information in the rim of the reverse, but a sentiment.In this case it is"In meo transgrediar murum"(I will cross the wall), which is attributed to Saint Teresa of Avila. It was meant to symbolize steadfast faith and determination to overcome difficulties.
The coin is shallowly struck, with scratches near the portrait and a small drill hole at 12 o'clock of the reverse. Other than that, unqualified.
First time at auction in Poland.
Provenance: ex. Silesia Collection - Hirsch 1971 (item 489 U n i k u m); Künker 2006. (A107, item.1119)
Obverse: bust of a prince in armor, facing right. In the rim: FRI GVIL D G IN SIL TES ET MAI GLO DVX.
Reverse: crowned shield with eagle, in decorative cartouche, on its sides initials E-S and date (16-23). In the rim:
IN MEO TRANSGREDIAR MVRVM
