Truth thaler

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Truth thaler from 1597 (diameter 42 mm)

The truth thaler is a so-called emblematic thaler of Duke Heinrich Julius of Braunschweig and Lüneburg , Prince of Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel (1589–1613). The taler was minted in 1597 and 1598 with a saying on the front and the personified naked truth on the back. It served the duke as a propaganda tool in disputes with some noble families in his country.

Coin-historical connections

The thaler of Duke Heinrich Julius is one of the symbol thalers described by the historian and numismatist Johann David Köhler as the third emblematic thaler with the year 1597,

“Which one calls the Truth Thaler, because it presents the truth based on lies and slander with the caption VERITAS VINCIT OMNIA CALVMNIA MENDACIVM. di Truth overcomes everything. The slander , the lies . The other side contains the saying : RECTE FACIENDO NEMINEM TIMEAS. di Thue right / do not shy away from anyone. "

According to Karl Christoph Schmieder , the “truth thaler is a spiked coin which Heinrich Julius […] issued in 1597 and 98.” According to Schmieder, the reverse shows “the naked truth that has often been viewed for Christ […].” She kicks “ the slander and the lying with feet. [...] "This taler, according to Schmieder," is the counterpart to the [...] Lügenthaler, and has the same relationship ".

The emblematic thalers served the duke as a means of propaganda in the disputes with noble families in his country who brought him to court before the Imperial Court of Justice.

After taking office, Heinrich Julius soon became unpopular because of his extravagance and tax increases. In 1605 he besieged the city of Braunschweig , but was unable to conquer it. Even the imperial ban against the city obtained in 1606 did not bring him any convincing success. At the imperial court in Prague he became confidante of Emperor Rudolph II (1576–1612). There he led a splendid life, for which he made his principality pay.

Heinrich Julius became known as a playwright . When he died, he left a ruined and impoverished country.

annotation

Other emblematic thalers of the duke are Rebellentaler (1595), Lügentaler (1596/97), and mosquito or falsely Wespentaler (1599), which also symbolize the dispute with noble families of his principality, as well as the pelican or patriot thaler (1599), the to symbolize his commitment to the country and its subjects.

Coin description

The Truth Thaler is a silver Reichstaler of Duke Heinrich Julius from the Principality of Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel, minted in the Goslar Mint without a mintmaster's mark . The thaler shown weighs 29.12 grams and has a diameter of 42 mm.

front

Heinrich Julius with his title

On the front there is a four-line inscription , including the year 1597. On the inscription are the initials PPC of choice award attached by Heinrich Julius.

  • Transcription: HENRI (cus) • IVLI (us) • DEI GRATIA • POST (ulatus) • EPIS (copus) • HAL (berstadensis) • D (ux) • B (runsvicensis) • E (t) • L (uneburgensis) • P (ro). P (atria). C (onsumor) •
  • Inscription: RECTE / FACIENDO / NEMINEM / TIMEAS / 1597
    • Translation: Do right and don't be afraid of anyone!

back

The reverse shows the naked truth personified. She stands with her feet on the symbolized slander and lies. The inscription in the field confirms this: VERITAS / VIN - CIT / OM - NIA / CALVMNIA / MENDACIUM ( Latin = The truth conquers all slander and lies). Eleven coats of arms are arranged around it.

See also

literature

  • Helmut Kahnt: The large lexicon of coins from A to Z , Regenstauf 2005
  • Friedrich von Schrötter , N. Bauer, K. Regling, A. Suhle, R. Vasmer, J. Wilcke: Dictionary of Coin Studies , Berlin 1970 (reprint of the original edition from 1930)
  • Johann David Köhler: Historischer Münz-Amustigung published weekly in 1729 , Volume 3, 1731
  • Carl Christoph Schmieder: Concise dictionary of the entire coinage , Halle and Berlin 1811

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Friedrich von Schrötter: Dictionary der Münzkunde (1970 reprint), p. 551
  2. ↑ Helmut Kahnt: Das große Münzlexikon… (2005), p. 515
  3. ↑ Johann David Köhler: Münzbelustigung , Volume 3 (1731), p 348
  4. ↑ Carl Christoph Schmieder: Concise Dictionary of Entire Coin Studies (1811), p. 470
  5. ^ Albrecht Eckhardt:  Heinrich Julius. In: New German Biography (NDB). Volume 8, Duncker & Humblot, Berlin 1969, ISBN 3-428-00189-3 , pp. 352–354 ( digitized version ) .: "shining life"
  6. ^ Meyers Konversations-Lexikon, 4th edition, 1885–1890
  7. ^ Albrecht Eckhardt:  Heinrich Julius. In: New German Biography (NDB). Volume 8, Duncker & Humblot, Berlin 1969, ISBN 3-428-00189-3 , pp. 352-354 ( digitized version ) .: "ruined land"
  8. ↑ Helmut Kahnt: The large coin dictionary… (2005): The other emblematic thalers.
  9. ^ Carl Christoph Schmieder: Concise Dictionary of Entire Coin Studies (1811), p. 333
  10. ↑ Johann David Köhler: Münzbelustigung , Volume 3 (1731), p 346
  11. ↑ Helmut Kahnt: Das große Münzlexikon… (2005), p. 515: Spruch (front)
  12. ↑ Helmut Kahnt: Das große Münzlexikon… (2005), p. 515: Spruch (back)