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The Taler Universe Collection

Rudolph II (1576-1612)

 

 

Rudolf II, (born July 18, 1552, Vienna, Habsburg domain [now in Austria]-died Jan. 20, 1612, Prague, Bohemia [now in Czech Republic]), Holy Roman emperor from 1576 to 1612; his ill health and unpopularity prevented him from restraining the religious dissensions that eventually led to the Thirty Years' War (1618-48).

 

The eldest surviving son of the emperor Maximilian II and Maria, who was the daughter of the emperor Charles V, Rudolf was crowned king of Hungary in 1572 (as Rudolf) and of Bohemia in 1575 (as Rudolf II). He succeeded his father as emperor and as archduke of Austria (as Rudolf V) on Oct. 12, 1576.

 

Subject to fits of severe depression, Rudolf soon retired to Prague, where he lived in seclusion, dabbling in the arts and sciences. During the first 20 years of his rule disputes between Roman Catholic and Protestant factions crippled the political institutions of the empire. In Austria Rudolf reversed Maximilian II's tolerant religious policy and sought to limit the political privileges of the Protestant Estates (the nobles and representatives of the towns).

 

The emperor's mental instability grew worse after 1598, and in 1605 the Habsburg archdukes, long dissatisfied with his political incompetence, compelled him to entrust the conduct of Hungarian affairs to his brother Matthias. In 1606 they recognized Matthias as their head and as their candidate for Rudolf's succession. Two years later Rudolf was forced to cede Hungary, Austria, and Moravia to Matthias and to promise him the succession in Bohemia. When mutinous imperial troops under the archduke Leopold ravaged Bohemia with Rudolf 's support in 1611, the Bohemian Estates sought help from Matthias, whose army virtually held Rudolf prisoner in Prague until he yielded Bohemia to Matthias in May. Although Rudolf prevented Matthias' preliminary election as king of the Romans (successor-designate to the empire), Matthias gained the imperial throne five months after Rudolf's death.

1590. Austria. Rudolph II (1576-1612) "Three Emperors" Taler. Joachimsthal or Prague Mint. Dav-8105 (under Archduke Ferdinand as Hall mint), Voglhuber-86 (same), Markl-1953, Moser-Tursky-Unl., Donebauer-Unl., Dietiker-Unl., Halacka-Type 1. Paul Hoffman (?) as mintmaster. Among the earliest emissions from this highly sought-after series-firmly attributable to the reign of Rudolf II-this offering expresses an attractive antique appearance coupled with splendid eye appeal. While light circulation wear exists atop the highpoints, in-line with the assigned designation, a wonderful clarity of detail is expressed throughout-from the finer points of the emperors' hair and beards, down to the Orders of the Golden Fleece-with a flan that beautifully mixes age-old, dove-gray tone with shades of sky-blue. Presently the single finest certified example at NGC by 13 grade points, with none yet seen by PCGS, collectors could hardly hope for a more fitting representative of the type. NGC AU-58.

 

Traditionally assigned to the mint of Hall under the reign of Ferdinand as Archduke, Halacka (1987) has reassigned the issue to Rudolf II at Joachimsthal, though Prague is also a likely candidate. As Hall only produced coins from roller dies at this time, it can be ruled out with no uncertainty as the minting location.

 

From the Paramount Collection

1590-KB. Rudolph II (1576-1612) Taler. Kremnitz Mint. DAV-8066. Beautifully toned well struck piece. Exceptional for the type. NGC MS-63. 

1598. Hungary. Holy Roman Empire, Kingdom of Hungary. Rudolph II (1576-1608) Taler. Nagybánya (Baia Mare) Mint. DAV-8068. Huszár 1037. Obv: Bust right, wearing ruff; coat-of-arms to left, Madonna holding infant Christ in clouds to right. Rev: Crowned double-headed eagle facing slightly right, wings spread, globus cruciger on breast; sword to left, scepter to right. NGC AU-58*.

1599-NB. Hungary. Holy Roman Empire, Kingdom of Hungary. Rudolph II (1576-1608) Taler. Nagybánya (Baia Mare) Mint. DAV-8069. KM-MB297, Husz-1038, Voglh-102 V. Obv: Bust right, wearing ruff; coat-of-arms to left, Madonna holding infant Christ in clouds to right. Rev: Crowned double-headed eagle facing slightly right, wings spread, globus cruciger on breast; sword to left, scepter to right; N B flanking. Spectacular coin! NGC MS-66*.

1600. Bohemia. Rudolph II (1576-1612) Taler. Kuttenberg Mint. DAV-8079, Voglh. 101/1, Dietiker 371. Mintmaster Spiess. Very rare piece from Kutna Hora. Scarce in mint state. NGC MS-62.

1601-KB. Rudolph II (1576-1612) 2 Taler. Kremnitz Mint. DAV-3011. Fine patina, strongly pronounced relief, ex Frühwald A112 (02/2015), Lot no. 421. To my knowledge, the only known specimen in private hands. Very scarce in such denomination. PCGS AU-50.

1604-NB. Hungary. Rudolph II (1576-1608) Taler. Nagybánya (Frauenbach) mint. Huszár-1041; DAV-3015. KM-18. Obv: Armored bust right, wearing ruff, coat-of-arms and Madonna with child in legend. Rev: Crowned double-headed eagle facing, holding sword and scepter; globus cruciger on breast. Toned. Rare in this grade. NGC MS-63.

From the Alexander Christopher Collection.

1604. Rudolf II Taler, Hall mint, KM-25, DAV-3005. An incredible selection from start to finish, and one that demands total attention from the viewer at every turn. The surfaces are immaculate, but even better than that, they are drenched in a dramatic mélange of color--the obverse glows with magenta iridescence that envelopes the entirety of the legend and brightens the intricate portrait of Rudolf II, while the reverse glows with turquoise centers and a golden halo at the rims. The illustrations have benefitted from a precise strike, leaving the highest points incredibly crisp. Given the coveted "star" hallmark for outstanding appeal, and rightly so, as this coin easily bests any example previously offered, and is likely among the finest survivors of the type. NGC MS-67★ 

1604. AUSTRIA. Rudolph II (1576-1612) 2 Taler. DAV-3004. Obv: RVDOLPHVS.II.D.G:IM:SEM:HV:BO:REX Bust right with date below. Rev: NEC NON ARCHIDVCE-SA.DVC:BVR:CO:TIROL Crowned arms in Order chain. Davenport 3004. Lovely iridescent toning and patina. PCGS MS-64.

1604. AUSTRIA. Rudolph II (1576-1612) 3 Taler. 45.5mm, 5.44mm thick, 85.92 gr. DAV-3003. KM 59. Hall Mint. Obv: Armored laureate bust r. in circle, date at truncation. Rev: 16-fold oval Shield in Collar of the Golden Fleece with Latin titles NEC NON ARCHIDVCE-S A. DVC. BVR. CO: TIROL, Not Only Archdukes of Austria, (plural) but Duke of Burgundy, Count of Tyrol (singular). Dav.3003, .Obv: RVDOLPHVS.II.D.G:IM:SEM:HV:BO:REX Bust right with date below. NGC AU-58.

1609. Austria. Alsace region. Ensisheim Mint. Rudolph II (1576-1612) 2 Taler. DAV-3031; M/T-585. KM-248. A RARE and desirable type, especially in such an elevated state of preservation, this double-sized crown presents deep gunmetal gray toning and stands as the sole specimen of the type in the NGC census. NGC MS-62.