World, Germany, Münster, Anabaptist period, silver 1.5 taler 1534, struck c. 1640s

In 1534, the city of Münster's government was seized by radical Anabaptists, who had the support of the majority of the population. Radical reforms were initiated including the destruction of all religious images. The deposed Prince-Bishop Franz van Waldeck then laid siege to the city. During the siege, the Anabaptist leader John of Leiden proclaimed himself King of the New Jerusalem, legalised polygamy, and took many wives. When the city finally fell in 1538, the Anabaptist leadership were tortured to death and their bodies displayed in cages on St. Lambert's Church, which, now empty, can be seen to this day. 

The coinage of the Anabaptists was appropriately iconoclastic, and struck in small numbers; most examples were destroyed in the aftermath of the siege. However, the dies survived, and from 1604, a very small number of restrikes were produced as gifts to important visitors of the city. The reverse die on this piece has been marked with a letter K indicating that it was struck under the mintmaster E. Ketteler, dating it to 1640 or a little later. 

EF, attractively toned. Rare, especially this fine. 

Dav. 9583 

ex-Gorny & Mosch 298 (11 October 2023), lot 2222 (1800 EUR hammer)