W. C a r e w H a z l i t t Coinage of the European Continent

3i2
The Coins of Europe
doubtless imitations of Byzantine models we have the
opportunity of studying an infinite amount of instructive
detail in relation to costume, armour, heraldry, and family
history and the same school of
; design has preserved to us
the names, dress, lineaments, and domestic episodes of other
families and dynasties, which played a distinguished and
influential part in German political
Saxon currency, however, did not so frequently overstep
there are a few
life. The module of the
ordinary limits as that of Brunswick ; yet
wide-spread pieces of medallic appearance even in this series.
A very fine coin, probably three thalers, of Johann Georg
II., 1663, exhibits on obverse the facing full-length figure
of the duke, crowned and robed, the mantle partly thrown
back, and shewing the armour beneath ;
his right hand
grasps a sword, while the left rests on a table, holding his
gauntlet and casque. The reverse has the gartered shield,
surrounded by the escutcheons of the house.
The constitutional and dynastic tie between Saxony and
Poland during three quarters of a century, with occasional
interruptions, is responsible for a series of Saxon coins struck
at Leipsic with the titles of the Electors Frederic Augustus
I. and II. and Frederic Christian (1697-1763) as Kings of
Poland (Reges Poloniaruvt) ;
the shield on the reverse bears
the arms of Livonia ;
and we have to notice the money of
the former as Vicar of the empire after the death of the
Emperor Joseph in 1711, where the reading on reverse
is: Frid : A ug
: Rex Elector & Vicarius Post Mort : lose :
Iniperat MDCCXI. The : regal assumption was by virtue of
his Polish dignity. What may be treated as the conclusion
of the old feudal platform is the lengthened succession of
currency of the last Elector and first King (1763-1827) with
a progression of portraits from adolescence to advanced age.
There is the thaler of 1764, where he appears as a mere
youth, in powerful contrast to the worn lines on the memorial
coinage of 1827. In the modern series by far the most
beautiful production is the war thaler of 1871.
But, wealthy as the Saxon currency is in silver, it has
not much to shew in gold
till we arrive at the seventeenth