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The Taler Universe Collection

Archduke Leopold V (1619-1632)

 

Leopold V, Archduke of Further Austria (Graz, October 9, 1586 - September 13, 1632 in Schwaz, Tirol) was the son of Archduke Archduke Charles II of Inner Austria, and the younger brother of Emperor Ferdinand II, father of Ferdinand Charles, Archduke of Further Austria. He was Bishop of Passau and Strasbourg (until 1625) and Archduke of Further Austria including Tirol.

 

He was invested as bishop in 1598, as a child, even though he had not been ordained as a priest and became Bishop of Strasbourg in 1607, a post which he held until 1626. From 1609 onwards he fought with his mercenaries in the War of the Jülich succession against Maximilian III, Archduke of Further Austria in Tirol, and 1611 for Rudolf II in Bohemia. In 1614, he financed the construction of the Church of the Jesuit College of Molsheim, inside of which his coat of arms is since prominently displayed.

 

In 1619 upon the death of his kinsman and former rival, he became governor of Maximilian's inheritance: Further Austria and Tirol, where he attained the position of a sovereign, i.e. Archduke of Further Austria from 1623 to 1630. He had the Custom House and the Jesuit Church be built in Innsbruck. He fought for the Veltlin and defended Tirol against the Swedes in 1632.

 

With his wife Claudia de' Medici, he became the founder of a sideline of the Habsburg family, which persisted until 1665 - the most recent line of Archdukes of Further Austria.

1620. Austria. Archduke Leopold (1619-1632) Taler, Hall Mint. DAV-3328. KM-264. Moser/Tursky 419. Obv: Bust right dividing date. Rev: Crowned arms with shields of Strasburg and Passau below. Original luster with subdued toning especially on the high points. PCGS MS-64.

ND (1626) Archduke Leopold (1619-1632) Double Taler Commemorating the marriage of the Archduke to the Princess Claudia of Medici. Hall Mint. DAV-3331, large wreath variety. KM-639. Archduke Leopold, As count of Tyrol, 1626-1632. Busts of Leopold and Claudia right. Reverse: Wreath over eagle. Nicely toned, choice piece. NGC MS-64+.

ND (1626) Archduke Leopold (1619-1632) Double Taler Commemorating the marriage of the Archduke to the Princess Claudia of Medici. Hall Mint. DAV-3332. KM-639. Archduke Leopold, As count of Tyrol, 1626-1632. Busts of Leopold and Claudia right. Reverse: Wreath over eagle. Nicely toned, choice piece. NGC MS-63.

Austria. ND (1635) Archduke Leopold V (1625 - 1632) 2 Taler. Hall. Silver, 57.04g. On marriage to Claudia von Medici, hybrid coinage from the obverse stamp of the posthumous coinage from 1635 and the obverse stamp of the coinage from 1626. Both crowned busts side by side on the right, inscription begins on the right: (diamond) LEOPOLDVS • ARCHID: AVS: ET • CLAVDIA • ARCHIDVCISA • AVS: MEDIC // Both crowned busts side by side on the right, inscription begins on the left: * LEOPOLD: AR: D: AV: ET: CLAVDIA: ARCHIDVCISA: AVSTRI: MEDIC. Dav. A 3334, M./T. (487/463, see text p. 274). NGC MS-63.

AUSTRIA. ND (1626) Erzherzog Leopold V (1619-1632) 2 Talers. Hall Mint. 57.4gm. DAV-3335. KM-609.1. Obv: Crowned and armored, half-length figure of the Archduke right holding scepter over shoulder and sword / DVX BVRGVNDIAE COMES TIROLIS. Rev: Tyrolean eagle, wreath above. Sharply struck, superb original lustrous surfaces. Very rare in this quality. NGC MS-64.

1626. Austria. Emperor Leopold V (1619-1632) 2 Taler. Hall Mint. DAV-3336; KM-609.2. One year issue depicting Leopold V with scepter above shoulder, the reverse depicting an eagle. Struck at the beginning of the Thirty Years' War and somewhat late in Leopold V's life. Leopold V abandoned his ecclesiastical positions in 1626 so he could marry Claudia de' Medici. This coin was presumably issued prior to the nuptials since it lacks the conjoined busts seen later in the year featuring the newlyweds. Clear evidence of being struck on roller dies. This is a stellar specimen, likely to be among the finest, if not the finest in terms of technical grade and eye appeal, with colorful toning deemed a bit too exuberant to be natural. NGC MS-64.

1627. Austria. Archduke Leopold (1619-1632) Taler. DAV-3337. KM# 629.1. Obverse: Crossed half figure in armor with sword and scepter, date in front. Reverse: Crowned arms with decorations on sides. Remarkable iridescent coin with superb eye appeal and underlying luster. PCGS MS-65.

1630. Archduke Leopold (1619-1632) Taler. DAV-3338. KM-804.2. Tyrol, Hall Mint. Obv: Bust of Leopold and crowned battleship, right, holding a scepter in his right hand and the handle of his sword with his left hand. Date in field right. Rev: Crowned Arms, surrounded by the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece. A superb early 17th-century Habsburg Taler struck at the historic Hall Mint in Tyrol. The obverse presents a commanding crowned and armored portrait of Archduke Leopold V holding a scepter, while the reverse displays the elaborate crowned Habsburg-Tyrolean arms surrounded by the Order of the Golden Fleece. The 1630 issue is notably scarce in high grade, and this example is exceptional at PCGS MS64, retaining strong detail, attractive original surfaces, and subtle peripheral toning. An impressive and unusually well-preserved representative of the large silver coinage of Habsburg Tyrol. PCGS MS-64.

1632. Archduke Leopold (1619-1632) Taler. DAV-3338. KM-804.2. Tyrol, Hall Mint. Obv: Bust of Leopold and crowned battleship, right, holding a scepter in his right hand and the handle of his sword with his left hand. Date in field right. Rev: Crowned Arms, surrounded by the collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece. NGC MS-67.

Probably of the finest Talers extant, pedigreed to the J.J Grano Collection and NGSA III Sale (2004), Lot 255.

1632. Archduke Leopold (1619-1632) Taler. DAV-3338. Tyrol, Hall Mint. One of the cornerstones of the collection. Super graded, lusterous piece with amazing sharp detail. Probably an early strike and wonderfully preserved specimen. Obv: Half figure holding sword right. Reverse: Crowned arms with Order chain around arms. Superb strike and virtually flawless surfaces with beautiful light rose and blue patina and full luster. Amazing quality and eye-appeal. NGC MS-66.

This Taler came out of a private collection in London.