Start page Varia

Order of the Golden Fleece on coins and medals

Register of persons

2.   Order sign on coins of appointed knights

here Part 2a Entry
Baden :   Christoph I, 1475-1515/27     Wilhelm, 1622-77     Ludwig Wilhelm, "Türkenlouis", 1677-1707
Bavaria :   Albrecht V, 1550-79     Wilhelm V, 1579-98     Maximilian I, 1598-1651
Maximilian II Emanuel, 1679-1705 / 1715-26     Karl Albrecht, 1726-45     Maximilian III Joseph, 1745-77
Brunswick and Lueneburg :   Henry the Younger, 1514-68     Erich II, 1540-1584
Palatinate :   Frederick II, 1544-1556 Elector Palatine
Palatinate-Neuburg :   Wolfgang Wilhelm, 1614-53 in Palatine-Neuburg & 1624-53 Duke of Jülich-Berg
Philipp Wilhelm, 1653-90 Count Palatine, 1653-79 Duke of Jülich-Berg, 1685-90 Elector Palatine
Johann Wilhelm II, 1679-1716 Duke of Jülich-Berg and 1690-1716 Elector Palatine
Karl III Philipp, 1716-42 Elector Palatine and Duke of Jülich-Berg
Palatinate-Bavaria : Karl Theodor, 1742-99 Elector Palatine & Duke of Jülich-Berg, 1777-99 Elector of Bavaria
Fürstenberg :   Joseph Wilhelm Ernst, 1704-62     Karl Egon I, 1762-87

continue to
Part 2b :   Poland, Saxony, Saxony-Poland, Rietberg, Württemberg
Part 2c :   Italy, Spain, ..., Transylvania
Part 2d :   Austrian new princes
or go back to Part 1a :   Beginning of the Order



The founder of the order, Philip the Good, appointed the first 24 knights of the order in 1430. They were recruited from his disparate dominion and were to be formed into a community of loyalty and support. The founder of the order saw himself as the first among equals. In the initially regular assemblies (called chapters), the order community completed itself by electing 30 members for life.
Alfonso V, King of Aragon and Naples, became the first "foreign" member in 1445. For him, the oath of allegiance had to be weakened, and of course he remained absent from chapter meetings and festivities.
Under the second Sovereign of the Order, Charles the Bold, further foreigners were elected as members of the Order: King Edward IV of England (1468), King Ferdinand II of Sicily (1473) and King Ferdinand of Naples (1473). As coinage sovereigns, these rulers could have presented the order on their coins. However, this only happened with members of the Order who were appointed later.

Baden

Christoph I, Margrave of Baden 1475-1515/27
Christoph (*1453 †1527) was cousin and loyal follower of Emperor Maximilian (*1459 †1519) and also supported him with his own troops.
Christoph received the Order of the Golden Fleece in 1491 - at the same time as Duke Albrecht of Saxony and Count Eberhard V of Wuerttemberg as the first Germans. The same assembly of the order led by Philip the Handsome bestowed the order among others to Emperor Frederic III and King Henry VII of England.

Of the holders of the Order of the Golden Fleece who do not belong to the family of the monastery,
Christoph seems to be the first to have the Fleece depicted on a coin,
only 28 years after receiving the Order:


Dicken 1519, Baden Baden.     Ø c.30 mm, c.9,5 g.   Wielandt 122.
Obv.:   CRISTOF:D:G:MAR - CHIO: IИ BADEИ
Bearded bust left, wearing coat and cap. The Golden Fleece on the ribbon reaches into the inscription.
Rev.:   MOИETA·ИOVA·ARGEИTV:BADEИSIS
Squared coat of arms of Baden (slanting bar) and Sponheim (chessboard), date above.
This is a very rare variant, which is preserved in the Baden State Museum in Karlsruhe. The usual variant of this coin type minted only in 1519 does not show the order.
Wilhelm of Baden, 1622-77 Margrave of Baden-Baden
Wilhelm (*1593) served the imperial forces and could only take up government in his country in 1622, after Tilly's victory over George Frederick of Baden-Durlach at Wimpfen. He pursued an uncompromising re-Catholicisation, had to give way to the Swedes in 1631-35 and received the Order of the Golden Fleece in 1639.

Ducat 1674, Baden Baden.     Ø 21 mm, 3,47 g.   Wielandt 255; Friedb.122.
Obv.:   ፨GVILIELM·D·G·MARCHIO·BADENsis·Et·HACHBERGensis·Langravius·In
Bust right, chain of Order of the Golden Fleece on the breast.
Rev.:   ·Susenbergensis·COMES·In·SPONHeimensis·Et·EB - ERSteinensis·Dominus·In·Röteln·Badenweiler· Lahr·Et·Mahlberg·&I674  -  Coat of arms surrounded by the order chain with attached Golden Fleece.
Ludwig Wilhelm, called "Turkish Louis", 1677-1707 Margrave of Baden-Baden
Son of Wilhelm of Baden
Ludwig Wilhelm joined the imperial army in 1674, distinguished himself in the war against France in 1676 at Philippsburg. From 1682 onwards he was essential in the expulsion of the Turks and the reconquest of Hungary, which is why he earned the nickname "Turkish Louis". In 1691 he received the Order of the Golden Fleece, awarded by the "sovereign" of the Order, King Charles II of Spain at the proposition of Vienna.

Gulden of 60 Kreuzer 1704, Würzburg.     Rolling mill coinage. Ø 36 mm, ca.17 g.
Wiel.327; Dav:237.
Obv.:   ¤LVDOVI:GVILELM:D:G:MARCHio·:BAdensis· - &:Hachbergensis:Langravius:Susenbergensis:&: Ortenaviensis:Comes:Sponheimensis:&:Ebersteinensis:Dominus:Rötelnensis:Badenvillensis:Lohrensis:&:Malbergensis:R:
Draped and armored bust with wig to the right, the value 60 in the oval below.
Rev.:   MONETA NOVA - ARGENT:BADEN:
Multi field coat of arms [Sponheim, Eberstein, Breisgau. 2nd row: Badenweiler, Baden (center), Hachberg. Below: Rötteln, Lahr-Malberg, Sponheim] under princely hat and between 1704 and IPB (sign. Johann Peter Bischoff), surrounded by the chain of the Order with the Golden Fleece.
The Margraviate of Baden-Baden comprised many separate tracts of land between the Hunsrück and the Upper Rhine.

Bavaria

Albrecht V the Magnanimous, 1550-79 Duke of Bavaria
Albrecht married a daughter of the later Emperor Ferdinand I in 1546. He received the Order of the Golden Fleece in the same year. Like his father Wilhelm IV, he fended off church reforms and implemented the Counter-Reformation with the help of the Jesuits. As a passionate art lover, Abrecht laid the foundations for the antiquities collection, the Bavarian State Library and the State Coin Collection in Munich.


2 ducats 1565, Munich.   Ø 25 mm, 7,03 g.   Hahn 52; Friedb.182.
Obv.:   + ALBERT'us:Dei:Gratia:COmes:PAlatinus:RHenii:VTRiusque:BAVARiae:DVX
"... Count Palatine of the Rhine and Duke of both (Upper and Lower) Bavaria"
Armored bust, shouldering a sword with his right hand, Order chain with Golden Fleece on the chest.
Rev.:   ·NON·NOBis:DOmine:Non:NObis - SED·NOMine:Tuo:Da:GLORiam·15·65
"Not us, oh Lord, not us, but give glory to Thy name!"
Four-field coat of arms (Palatinate/Bavaria), surrounded by the chain of the Order of the Golden Fleece.
The fire stones in the chain spark asymmetrically, single inwards and triple outwards.


Reichsguldiner of 72 Kreuzer 1557, Munich.   Ø 40 mm, 30,82 g.   Hahn 46; Dav.8922.
Obv.:   ALBERTVS·COMes:PAlatinus: - RHenii:BAVARIÆ·DVX
Squared coat of arms hung with the fleece order, above the date ·15·57·.
Between the sparking fire stones are two fire irons, whose handles are movably hooked together.
Rev.:   CAROLI·V:IMPerator:AVGustus - Permisit:Fieri:DECRETO   "... allowed the production"
Crowned double-headed eagle, on the chest the orb with the value 72.

William V the Pious, 1579-98 Duke of Bavaria
son of Albrecht V.
Like his father, Wilhelm V was fond of art, a patron and coin collector. He supported the Counter-Reformation and his brother Ernst in 1583 in the Cologne War for the Archbishop's Chair in Cologne. He ruined the Bavarian state finances and abdicated in 1597 in order to lead his old age in a particularly pious manner. His son Maximilian, who had been in government since 1594, followed.


Ducat 1596, Munich.   Ø 21 mm, 3,47 g.   Hahn 56; Friedb.186.
Obv.:   GVIL:D:G:COmes:PAlatinus - RHEnii:VTRiusque·BAVAriae·DVX·
Crowned, quartered coat of arms surrounded by the chain of Order with the Golden Fleece.
Rev.:   ·S·HEN:ROM:IMP - E - Rator:DVX·BAVA·
The crowned St. Heinrich of Bavaria standing from the front in armor and with a cloak wrapped around him, holding a scepter in his right hand and an orb in his left.
An eccentrically punched piece, which was made by well-centered rollers aligned in the same direction (↑↑).

Maximilian I, 1598-1651 Duke of Bavaria
son of Wilhelm V
King Philip III of Spain bestowed the order on the 27-year-old Maximilian in 1600, probably prompted by Emperor Rudolf II's court in Vienna. Maximilian founded the Catholic League in 1609, helped Emperor Ferdinand II in 1620 after the "Prague Defenestration" and was rewarded with the title of Elector in 1623, which was revoked from the "Winter King" Frederick V of the Palatinate.


Madonna Thaler 1620, Munich.   Ø 42 mm, 27,80 g.   Hahn 62A; Dav.6064A.
Obv.:   ·MAXIMILIANVS·D:G·COM:PAL:RHE:VTRiusQue:BOIARIÆ·DVX·MDCXX·
Crowned, oval coat of arms (Bavaria/Palatinate) held by two lions,
who also lay the order chain with the Golden Fleece around the coat of arms.
Rev.:   CLYPEVS OMNIBVS IN TE SPERANTIBVS   "(A) shield to all who hope in you" (Ps. 18,31)
Madonna with child and scepter on clouds surrounded by aureoles. Child Jesus with apple.

After the "Prague Defenestration" the rebels elected the Palatinate Elector Friedrich V as King of Bohemia. But in 1620 he lost the Battle of the White Mountain against the imperial troops led by Duke Maximilian I. The loser, henceforth called "Winter King", lost his electorate from the Palatinate to Maximilian I, who issued the following coinage.


Double thaler 1627, Heidelberg, for the Rhine Palatinate.  Ø 42 mm, 58,04 g. Hahn 157; Dav.6094.
Obv.:   MAXIMILIANVS·D:G:COM:PAL:RHENI:VTRI·BAVARIÆ·DVX·
Armored bust to the right with a lion's head on the shoulder, a draped cloak and the chain of the Order of the Golden Fleece, next to the arm section the die cutter's mark MS.
Rev.:   SACRI·ROMani·IMPerii·ARCHIDAPIFER·ET·PRINCEPS·ELECTOR
"'Archsteward' and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire"
Two lions hold the double-helmeted four-field coat of arms (lozenge/lion) with central shield (orb, electoral insignia of the Palatinate), the chain of the Order hangs on the sides. Below the Golden Fleece between the date 16-G - C-27 (GC for Georg Crämer, mint administrator in Heidelberg 1624-28).
Because of the special prominence of the title 'Archidapifer' (archsteward), it is assumed that this thaler was specially minted to celebrate the re-establishment of the office of archsteward that year.
The portrait of the Bavarian Elector Maximilian I is documented on coins only in the present Heidelberg issue, which also included single thalers and possibly also 1½-fold thalers from the same dies.

Ferdinand Maria, 1651-79 Elector of Bavaria
Ferdinand Maria, the son and successor of Elector Maximilian I of Bavaria and his wife Maria Anna of Austria did not receive the Order of the Golden Fleece. After an initial inclination towards Austria, Ferdinand Maria, under the influence of his wife from Savoy, switched to a pro-French and later to a neutral policy in order to keep peace for his country between France and Austria.

Maximilian II Emanuel, 1679-1705 / 1715-1726 Elector of Bavaria
son of Ferdinand Maria
He allied himself with the emperor against France and Turkey. During the Great Turkish War 1683-99 he made a name for himself as a general in imperial service and conquered Belgrade in 1688. After the attack of Louis XIV in 1688, he joined the emperor and became governor-general of the Spanish Netherlands from 1692-1701. In 1692 he was awarded the Order of the Golden Fleece. In the War of the Spanish Succession, he sided with Louis XIV, but had to leave Bavaria after losing the Battle of Höchstädt in 1504. In exile, Louis XIV appointed him as governor in the Netherlands and gave him the Duchy of Luxembourg and the County of Namur. After the end of the war, he was able to return to Bavaria in 1714 and sought a settlement with Habsburg.


Madonna thaler 1694.   Ø 42 mm, ca. 29 g.   Hahn 199; Dav.6099.
Obv.:   MAXimilianus:EMANUEL D.G.Vtriusque.Bavariae&Palatinatus.Superioris.Dux.Comes.Palatinus.Rheni. Sacri.Romani.Imperii.Archi.Dapifer&Elector·Langravius·Leuchtenbergensis·
Draped, armored bust with large wig to the right.
Rev.:  CLYPEVS OMNIBVS IN TE SPERANTIBVS∗1694  "Ein Schild allen, die auf dich hoffen" (Ps.18,31)
Crowned Madonna with child and scepter sitting on clouds, the left holding the oval coat of arms with attached fleece order chain.

Maximilian II Emanuel, 1704-14 in exile in the Netherlands


Thaler 1712, Namur or Paris.  Ø 39 mm, 27,98 g.  Delm.364; Witt.1708; Hahn 220; Dav.1271A.
Obv.:   MAX·EMANVEL - Vtriusque·Bavariae·Superioris·Palatinatus·Brabantiae·Limburgi·Luceburgi·&·Geldriae·DVX (Mz. Löwe) 1712
Bare head with wig and indicated armor to the right.
Rev.:   Comes·Palatinus·Rheni·Sacri·Romani·Imperii·Archidapifer·ELector·&·VICarius·LangraviusLeuchtenbergensis· - Comes·Flandriae·Hanoniae·&·Namurci·Marchio·Sacri·Romani·Imperii·Dominus·MECHlinae
Multi-field coat of arms under a crown surrounded by the Order of the Fleece.

Karl Albrecht (Albert), 1726-45 Elector of, 1742-45 Emperor Karl VII
son of Maximilian II. Emanuel
King Philip V, the first Bourbon on the Spanish throne, bestowed the Spanish Order of the Golden Fleece on the 4-year-old Charles Albrecht in 1701. Three years after the founding of the Austrian branch of the Order, Karl Albrecht received 1715 from Emperor Karl VI. also the Austrian Fleece Order. In 1729, Karl Albrecht founded the Bavarian House Knights Order of Saint George as a counterweight to the Fleece Order.
After the death of Emperor Charles VI in 1740 his daughter Maria Theresia was not recognized as a successor in the Habsburg lands. Prussia, Saxony and Bavaria invaded the Habsburg lands, supported by France and Spain. On October 30, 1740, the two secular Wittelsbach electors, Karl Albrecht and Karl Philipp of the Palatine, jointly declared themselves imperial vicars. At the beginning of 1742, Karl Albrecht was unanimously elected and crowned Emperor. At the same time, Munich temporarily fell into the hands of the Austrians. Still in a state of war, Karl Albrecht died in 1745, after which his son and successor recognized Austrian supremacy in the empire. This paved the way for Franz I Stefan of Lorraine, Maria Theresa's husband, to be elected Emperor.


Thaler 1738, Munich.   Ø 43 mm, 29,4 g.   Hahn 248; Wittelsbach 1938; Dav.1942.
Obv.:   Carolus·Albertus·Dei·Gratia·Vtriusque·Bavariae & Palatinatus·Superioris·Dux· - Comes·Palatinus·Rheni·Sacri·Romani·Imperii·Archidapifer·& Elector·Langravius·Leuchtenbergae·
"Karl Albrecht by the Grace of God, Duke of both Bavaria and the Upper Palatinate, Count Palatine at the Rhine, Archtruchsess and Elector in the Holy Roman Empire, Landgrave of Leuchtenberg"
Armored bust with the chain of the Order of the Golden Fleece, below a ribbon.
Rev.:   CLYPEUS OMNIBUS IN TE SPERANTIBUS. - "A shield to all who hope in you"
Seated St. Mary holding the infant Jesus with orb on her lap, holding sceptre in her left hand, crowned Bavarian coat of arms beside. Central arms: Imperial orb as spa badge.
Two chains of orders around the arms: the Habsburg Golden Fleece and the Bavarian Holy George Cross renewed in 1728. Exergue: 1738.


10 ducats 1739, Munich.   Ø 47 mm, 34,98 g.   Hahn 248; Witt.1868Ann.; Friedb.227.
Obv.:   CAR·ALB·D·G·V·B·& P·S·D·C·P·R·S·R·I·A·& E·L·L·  (title exactly as before).
Armored bust right, order chain with the Golden Fleece (hidden by a curl of the wig), underneath the Order of St. George, at the arm section the signature of die cutter F. A. Schega.
Rev.:   Two lions standing on rocks hold together the four-field coat of arms (Bavaria/Palatinate) with an
orb in the central shield, toped by an electoral crown and surrounded by the chain of the Order of the
Golden Fleece, below the chain of the Order of St. George, below a view of the city of Munich,
at the top to the sides of the crown inscription with the date MDCCX - XXVIIII.

Karl Albert to the Vicariate in 1740
Shortly after the unexpected death of Emperor Charles VI, Elector Charles Albert declared himself together with Elector Charles III Philip of the Palatinate as acting imperial vicars, for which they initiated various and also joint coinage. Thereupon also Elector Friedrich August II of Saxony announced to be vicar of the territories under Saxon law.


Thaler 1740, Munich, on the Vicariate.   Ø 43-44 mm, ca.29 g.   Hahn 264; Dav.1945.
Joint issue with Karl Philipp, Elector Palatine.
Obv.:   D:G:CAR:ALB:& CAR:PHIL:Sacri:Romani:ELECTORES EIUSQue:
"..., Electors of the Holy Roman Empire and"
Busts of the two electors to the right, each with a Golden Fleece on a ribbon.
At the arm section: F·A·S· (F.A.Schega, die cutter).
Rev.:   IN PARTibus:RHENI SUEViae:ET·IURis·FRANCONici:VICARIORUM·J740·
"Vicar in the countries of the Rhine, Swabia and Franconian law"
Nimbered double-headed eagle, on the chest the crowned coats of arms of Bavaria and the Palatinate, surrounded by the chains with the Order of the Golden Fleece and the Bavarian Order of St. George.
A variant of this Bavarian Vikariate thaler (Dav.1946) shows three orders on the reverse: Order of St. George on the chain around the Bavarian coat of arms, Hubertus Order on the ribbon around the
Palatinate coat of arms, in between the Golden Fleece.


Double gold gulden 1740, Munich, on the Vicariate.  Ø 23 mm, 6,47 g.  Hahn 268; Friedb.238.
Obv.:   CAR·ALB·D·G·Utriusque·Bavariae· - DUX ARCHIDux [!]·& ELector·  -  head to the right.
Rev.:   VICARIUS & PROVISOR IMPERY[II] & C[?]·1740·
Coat of arms with close-fitting chain of the Order of St. George overlaid by the chain of the Fleece Order.

Karl Albert related to the imperial coronation in 1743


Thaler 1743, Munich.   Ø 42 mm, 29,16 g.   Hahn 277; Witt.1964; Dav.1947.
Dies from F. A. Schega.
Obv.:   CAR·VII·D·G·Romanorum·Imperator·Semper·Augustus· - GERManiae ·ET BOHemiae·REX
"..., Emperor (*1), German and Bohemian (*2) king"
Armored bust right, with laurel wreath and the Golden Fleece on the Order chain.
Rev.:   UTRiusque:BAVariae:ET:PALatinatus:SUPerioris:DUX COMes: - PALatinus:RHeni: ARCHIDux:AUSTriae:Sacri:Romani:Imperii:Elector:Langravius·Leuchtenbergensis·
"... Archduke of Austria (*3), Elector, Landgrave ..."   -   Imperial crown with inful above the double-headed eagle, crowned coat of arms on the chest. Chains of the Order of the Golden Fleece and of the Bavarian Order of St. George, sword, scepter and orb in the claws. Date 17-43.
(*1): On January 24, 1742, Karl Albrecht was elected Emperor Karl VII in Frankfort. Shortly afterwards he was also crowned by his brother Clemens August, Archbishop of Cologne.
(*2): Karl Albrecht had conquered Prague with his allies, where he was worshiped by the Bohemian estates on December 9, 1741.
(*3): Karl Albrecht had given himself the title of Archduke of Austria.

Maximilian III Joseph, 1745-77 Elector of Bavaria
Maximilian (*1727), son of the Bavarian emperor Charles VII, made peace with Maria Theresa after taking over the government in Bavaria. He agreed to the election of Franz I Stephan (spouse of Maria Theresa) and remained childless.


Ducat 1745, Munich, on the Vicariate.   Ø 21 mm, 3,48 g.   Hahn 281; Friedb.241a.
Obv.:   D·G·MAX·IOS·U·B· - DUX ARCHID·& EL·  -  Bust right with Fleece Order on collar.
Rev.:   IN PART·RH·SUEV·& IUR·FR·P·T·PROV·& VIC·IMP·
Double-headed eagle, on the breast the four-field coat of arms (Bavaria/Palatinate) with central shield (orb) covered with the electoral hat, surrounded by the chain of the Order of the Golden Fleece,
also the chain of the Order of St. George, date 17 - 45 at eagle's heads.


Convention Thaler 1765, Munich.   Ø 42 mm, ca.28 g.  Hahn 310; Wittelsbach 2179; Dav.1955A.
Obv.:   D·G·MAX·IOS·Utriusque·Bavariae· - Dux·Sacri·Romani·Imperii·Archidapifer·&ELector· Landgravius·Leuchtenbergae   -   Bust to the right in an ermine, wearing a sash, the Order of the Golden Fleece on the chest and the Order of Saint George to the side.
Rev.:   Lion standing upright holding a sword in his right paw and with his left the Bavarian coat of arms draped with two chains of orders and covered with the electoral hat.
A cartouche with the date 1765 at the bottom.
Also called "Arslani thaler", as it was supposedly intended for trade with the Levant.
The name comes from the Turkish word Arslan, which means lion.


1/2 guilder (30 kreuzer) 1746, Munich.   Ø 30? mm, ca.7 g.   Witt.2182; Hahn 303.
Obv.:   MAX·IOS· - Herzog·In·Bayern·Churfürst·&·  -  Bust right, Fleece Order on ribbon.
Rev.:   LAND - MUNZ  -  Crowned coat of arms surrounded by two chains of orders.
"Landmünze" are coins minted inferiorly, which were only valid in the territory of the coin emitter.


4 Groschen (12 Kreuzer) 1766, Munich.   Ø 26 mm, ca.4,3 g.   Witt.2194; Hahn 297.


3 Kreuzer (Groschen) 1766, Munich.   Ø ? mm, 1,49 g.   Hahn 292.
Obv.:   MAX·IOS· - Herzog·In·Bayern·Churfürst·&·  -  Bust right, Fleece Order on ribbon.
Rev.:   LAND - MUNZ  -  Crowned coat of arms surrounded by chains of orders.

Maximilian III Joseph died in 1777 without male issue. He was succeeded by Karl Theodor of Palatinate.

Brunswick and Lueneburg

Henry the Younger, 1514-1568 Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
Henry the Younger (*1489), a follower of Emperor Charles V, became a strict opponent of the Reformation. He received the Order of the Golden Fleece in 1555 when King Philip II of Spain was already in charge of the order.


Thaler 1562, Goslar.     Ø 41 mm, 28,8g.     Welter 399; Dav.9051
Obv.:   ·HENRICus·Dei·GRatia·DVX·B - RVNSviecum·Et·LVNEBVRgensis ‡ (‡ mint mark)
"Henry by the Grace of God Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg"
Draped bust with cap and Fleece Order chain between the date 6 - 2.
Rev.:   IN GOTts GEWalt Hab Ich (mein Sach) GeSTellt - Der Hat's GEFügt Dass Mir's Genügt
Squared coat of arms (above: Brunswick-Lueneburg; below: Everstein-Homburg) with helmet, crest and hanging chain with Fleece Order; a wild man wearing a wreath of leaves as a loin guard.
The first thalers with Henry's bust show a necklace with a pendant. Only the type of taler minted since 1557 clearly shows the chain order of the Golden Fleece, and this on both sides of the coin. Henry, always loyal to the emperor, must have been very proud of the order.

Erich II (the Younger), 1540-1584 Duke of Brunswick-Calenberg
Like his father Erich I. and his uncle Henry the Younger, he remained loyal to the Emperor and became a Catholic in 1546, although he was educated as a Protestant. In 1547 he was defeated by a northern German army of the Schmalkaldic League, but this had no effect. He remained childless. The fusion with Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel followed him.
Erich was awarded the Order of the Golden Fleece in 1573 and immediately displayed this on his thalers.


Thaler (24 Groschen) 1577, Münden.   Ø 43 mm.   Dav.9007.
Obv.:   ·ERIC·D·G·DVX· - ·BRVNsvicensis·Et·LVNEeburgensis·
Wild man stands behind the quartered coat of arms and holds the chain of the Order of the Golden Fleece around the coat of arms; the Golden Fleece between the divided date 7 - 7.
In the field: ·GLORIA· - EX·DVRIS· "Mastering difficult tasks earns prestige"
Rev.:   RVDOLphus·Z(II)·ROManorum·IMPerator·SEMPer·AVGVSTVs   (title of the reigning emperor)
Crowned double-headed eagle with orb on the chest, the value Z4 in the orb.
Exactly in the year 1573, in which Erich received the order, the coin image of this thaler was supplemented by the order, in such a way that the wild man no longer holds the shield but now the chain of the order.

Palatinate

Frederick II the Wise, 1544-56 Elector Palatine
Frederick (*1482) spent a large part of his youth at the court of Brussels. There he became the first advisor to the still minor later Emperor Charles V. In 1515, Frederick accompanied the 15-year-old Charles, who had just come of age, on his homage tour through the Netherlands. A year later Frederick was admitted to the Order of the Golden Fleece.
The further career also brought disappointments for the House of Habsburg:
- Frederick was to accompany Charles and his sister Eleanor to Spain in 1517. But as he showed an affection for Eleanor destined for King Manuel of Portugal, Frederick was expelled from court.
- Frederick became a Lutheran in 1542 and introduced the Reformation in the Palatinate. After the Schmalkaldic War, he was able to save himself from losing his electoral dignity to Bavaria through submission to the emperor.
On the other hand, Frederick helped the House of Habsburg by actively campaigning for Charles' election as emperor, which earned him the title of imperial governor in 1521.


Thaler 1547, Neumarkt.   Ø 40 mm, 28,3 g.   Dav.9626.
Obv.:   ¤FRIDER·D·G·Comes·PALatinus·RhenI·BAVAriae·DVX·S·R·I·PRI·EL
S.R.I.P.EL = Sacri.Romani.Imperii.Princeps.ELector = Elector of the Holy Roman Empire
Hip portrait in electoral regalia with electoral hat, electoral sword and imperial orb as well as
Order of the Golden Fleece.
Rev.:   ¤MONEta:ARGEntea:SVPERIOris:PALATInatus:BAVARIae
"Silver money of the Bavarian Upper Palatinate"   -   Under the Palatinate helmet the three coats of arms:
Palatinate (crowned lion) / Bavaria (diamonds) / Electoral Palatinate (orb), below the date 15 - 47.

See other coins of the Elector bearing his effigy and the Order of the Golden Fleece.

Palatinate-Neuburg and Jülich-Berg

Wolfgang Wilhelm, 1614-53 Count Palatine-Neuburg
and 1624-53 Duke of Jülich-Berg
son of Anna, the second eldest sister of the last Duke of Jülich-Kleve-Berg († 1609)
Palatine of Neuburg was created in 1505 after the Landshut War of Succession as an independent territory around Neuburg in der Upper Palatine and was owned by Palatine Wittelsbachers. The Lutheran Count Palatine Wolfgang Wilhelm converted to Catholicism in 1613/14 in order to improve his prospects in the Jülich-Klev succession dispute. He established himself as one of the 'Possidian Princes' who subsequently divided the land among themselves: The south (Jülich and Berg) thus fell to Wolfgang Wilhelm, while the north (Cleves, Mark) fell to Johann Sigismund of Brandenburg. Wolfgang Wilhelm thus laid the foundation for the close relations between the Palatinate-Bavarian territories and the Lower Rhine that lasted until the end of the Old Empire. Wolfgang Wilhelm received the Order of the Golden Fleece in 1615.
He was followed by his descendants, all of whom became bearers of the Golden Fleece (see below):
• Philipp Wilhelm, 1653-90 in Palatine-Neuburg and 1653-79 in Jülich-Berg and 1685-90 in Electoral Palatinate
• Johann Wilhelm II., 1679-1716 in Jülich-Berg and 1690-1716 in Electoral Palatinate
• Karl III. Philipp, 1716-42 in Jülich-Berg and in Electoral Palatinate.


Thaler n. d., Kallmünz (Upper Palatinate).   Ø 43 mm, 28,73 g.   Dav.7164.
Obv.:   *WOLFG·WIL:Comes:PAlatinus:RHEni:DVX:BAvariae:IVLiaci:CLIviae·Et·MONTinum
Bust left, with ruff and Golden Fleece on the ribbon.
Around: IN·DEO·MEA· - CONSOLTIO·   "In God is my consolation"
Rev.:   COomes:VELdentiae·SPonhemii:MArcae:RAVensbergae: - ET:MORSiae:DOMinus:In:RAVenstein
Title on both sides: "Count Palatine on the Rhine, Duke of Bavaria, Jülich and Berg / Count of Veldenz, Spohnheim, Mark and Ravensberg, Lord of Ravenstein"
Crowned quartered coat of arms surrounded by a chain of orders with the Golden Fleece (die error on fleece).
Philipp Wilhelm, 1653-90 Count Palatine, 1653-79 Duke of Jülich-Berg,
1685-90 Elector Palatine
In 1653, Philipp Wilhelm succeeded his father in Palatinate-Neuburg and as Duke of Jülich-Berg. In the same year he received the Order of the Golden Fleece. In 1685 he inherited the Electoral Palatinate.


Ducat 1654, Düsseldorf.   Ø 22 mm, 3,41 g.   Noss 667; Friedb.1392.
Obv.:   *PHILIPP·WILH·COMomes·PALatinus·Rheni·Dux·BAVvariae·Iuliaci·Cliviae·ET·MONtium
Bare-headed, armored bust to the right.
Rev.:   *TAN* - *DEM*   "at last"  -  Crowned, multi-field coat of arms surrounded
by the chain of the Order with the Golden Fleece, above the divided date.


30 Kreuzer (1/2 Gulden) 1674, Neuburg.   Ø 31-32 mm, 9,42 g.   Noss 415.
Obv.:   PHIL·WIL·D·G·COM·PAL·RHE·D·BAV·IVL·CLE·ET·MON·1674
Armored and draped bust to the right with wig and Golden Fleece on a ribbon on the chest.
Rev.:   MONETA·NOVA·ARGE (30) NTEA·PAL·NEOBVRG
Coat of arms covered with a prince's hat, around it a chain with a Golden Fleece. Value at the bottom: (30).
The piece was made by roller milling on a strip, from which it was punched out and then adjusted to weight with a file. During the rolling process, the height of the coin increased compared with the width.
The alignment of both sides is the same (↑↑).


Ducat 1675, Mülheim.   Ø 22? mm, 3,43 g.   Noss -; Friedb.1392.
Obv.:   *PHILIPP.WILH COM·PAL·R·D·BAV·I·C·ET·MONT  -  Draped, armored bust to the right.
Rev.:   TAN* - *DEM·  -  Crowned multi-field coat of arms surrounded by the chain and Order of the Golden Fleece, above IL - crossed strip hook (Johann Longerich, mint master), below the date 16 -75.
Johann Wilhelm II of Palatinate-Neuburg, 1679-1716 Duke of Jülich-Berg
and from 1690 Elector Palatine
In 1679 Philipp Wilhelm succeeded his father in Palatinate-Neuburg and as Duke of Jülich-Berg. In 1685 he inherited the Palatinate and in 1686 he received the Order of the Golden Fleece.

Ducat 1707 as chronogram.     Ø ? mm, 3,44 g.   Noss ?; Friedb.2009.
Obv.:   IOH·WILH·Comes·Palatinus·Rheni - Sacri·Romani·Imperii·ARCHIThesaurarius ET ELector
Armored bust to the right.
Rev.:   HOC·BELLONÆ - STIPENDIVM   "?"
Crowned coat of arms cartouche surrounded by the chain of orders.
The Golden Fleece between IA - L (die cutter Johann Linck).
Chronogram :  CLLIDIVM = MDCLLVII = 1707


1/2 Ducat 1708, Heidelberg.     Ø 15 mm, 1,72 g.   Coll.Memmesh.2393; Friedb.2018.
Obv.:   I.W.D.G.C.P.R S - R.I ARCHIThesaurarius.&.ELector.
Bust to the right, draped and with orden on the chest. In section IL (die cutter Johann Linck)
Rev.:   BavariaeI[=J]uliaciCliviae&MontiumDux PRrinceps·Meursiae Comes.Veldentiae.SSponheim.Marcae.& Ravensbergae·Dominus.In.Ravenstein:1708
Crowned coat of arms surrounded by the Order chain without Golden Fleece.
A similar half ducat from 1705 also shows the Golden Fleece on the reverse.


Thaler 1709, Düsseldorf.     Ø 42 mm, 29,16 g.   Noss 841; Dav.2364.
Obv.:  Dei Gratia IOHannes WILHelmus Comes Palatinus Rheni - Sacri Romani Imperii ARCHIDapifer & ELector
Rev.:   Bavariae Iuliaci Cliviae & Montium Dux PRriceps Meursiae Comes Veldentiae - Sponhemi Marcae & Ravensbergae Dominus In Ravenstein 1709
Regalia shield with the imperial orb between two national coats of arms under the electoral crown,
Order of St Hubert and below the Order of the Golden Fleece.
Arms on the left: Bavaria, Jülich, Kleve, Berg and Palatinate (middle).
Arms on the right: Mörs, Veldenz, Mark and Ravensberg.
The long title only allows initial letters of the words. Mention is made of the homeland Bavaria, the possessions of Jülich, Berg, Sponheim, Veldenz and the Lordship of Ravenstein (on the lower course of the Maas) as well as the unfulfilled claims to Kleve, Mark, Ravensberg and Mörs (Mörs fell to Prussian Kleve in 1702 by way of inheritance).
Because of the special prominence of the title Archidapifer, it is assumed that this thaler was specially issued to celebrate the regaining of the office of archsteward that year.


2/3 Thaler 1709, Düsseldorf.   Ø 33-35 mm, 17,34 g.   Noss 843a; Dav.597.
Similar as before.
In 1708 Johann Wilhelm renewed the Hubertus Order, which had been donated by Duke Gerhard II of Jülich-Berg in 1444 and named after St Hubertus, patron saint of Jülich. The sign of the order is a Maltese cross with balls at the eight points, in the middle usually a medallion with St. Hubert and rays in the corners of the cross.
Karl III Philipp of Pfalz-Neuburg, 1716-42 Elector Palatine
and Duke of Jülich-Berg
Karl III Philipp succeeded his deceased brother Johann Wilhelm as Elector Palatine and Duke of Jülich-Berg in 1716. He had received the Order of the Golden Fleece in 1694. With him, the Younger Line of Palatinate-Neuburg died out in the male line.


1/6 Thaler (1/4 Gulden) 1718, Düsseldorf.   Ø 24 mm, ? g.   Noss 890.
Obv.:   D.G CAR·PHIL·C·P - R·S·R·I·ARCHID ET EL  -  bust to the right.
Rev.:  Crowned and wrapped monogram surrounded by the order chain,
hanging from it the Golden Fleece between 1/6 - NP, laterally 17 - 18.
The encircling band is the chain of the Order of St. Hubert, which is placed directly below the monogram.


2/3 Thaler 1738, Düsseldorf.   Ø 33 mm, ca.12,8 g, fine silver.   Noss 947; Dav.602.
Yield of the Bergische Gruben (Wildberg).
Obv.:   Dei:Gratia:Carolus:Philippus:Comes:Palatinus:Rheni:Sacri:Romani:Imperii:Archi - Thesaurarius·&·Elector·Bavariae·Iuliaci·Cliviae·&·Montium:Dux:Priceps:Meursiae·
Under the electoral hat, three shields set into a carved frame; the Jülich Order of Hubert and the chain of the Order of the Golden Fleece.
Rev.:   *DEUS·SERVET·METALLIOFODINAS·MONTENSES   "God protect the Bergische ore mines"
Value, fineness, date and mint mark F·M.
The chain of orders consists of oval flints, from which sparks fly, connected to irons that are hinged together. In the chain of the Hubertus Order there are alsosparking elements.


2/3 Thaler 1737, Düsseldorf.   Ø 33 mm, 12,98 g, fine silver.   Noss 944; Dav.600.
Obv.:   Dei:Gratia:Carolus:Philippus:Comes:Palatinus:Rheni:Sacri:Romani: - Imperii:Archi:Thesaurarius&Elector:Bavariae:Iuliaci:Cliviae·&·Montium:Dux:Princeps·Meursiae·
Armored and draped bust, Order of the Fleece on the chest. On the arm section M (J.Marmé, die cutter).
Rev.:   FEIN· - SILBER  -  Electoral hat over two coats of arms. Monogram in between, below Order of Hubert and Order of the Fleece. In section: denomination 2/3 between date 17 -37 and F. - O. (Franz Offner, mint master).

At the same time, the following 2/3 thaler was minted in Mannheim, but it only names Palatinate titles.


2/3 Thaler 1737, Mannheim.   Ø 33 mm, fine silver.   Noss 356; Dav.747.
C·PHIL·D:G·C·P·R·S· - R·I·ARCHIT&EL   //   CHVR·PFALZ·1737
On the chest: pendant with Golden Fleece.
Under the arm section: SCHAEFFER (die cutter at Mannheim).

Karl III Philipp on the Vicariate in 1740
Shortly after the unexpected death of Emperor Charles VI, the Palatine Elector declared himself together with Elector Karl Albert of Bavaria as acting vicars of the empire, for which they initiated various and also joint coinages. Thereupon Elector Friedrich August II of Saxony claimed his vicariate in the territories under Saxon law.


1½-fold Thaler 1740, Mannheim, on the Vicariate.  Ø 43 mm, 43,81g.  Haas 25; Dav.2529.
Obv.:   D:G.C PHIL Dux Bavariae Comes Palatinus·Rheni·Sacri·Romani·Imperii·Archi·Thesaurarius·&· ELector·PROVISOR&VICARIUS   "... Elector, administrator and vicar" (continuation on the obv.)
Armored bust of the 79-year-old Elector right with Order of the Golden Fleece.
Rev.:   IN·PARTibus RHENI SUEVici ET IURis·FRANCONici·1740
"... in the Rhenish and Swabian areas as well as Franconian law"
Double headed eagle with the three Palatinate coats of arms on the breast, above the electoral hat. Under the shields the chains of the Order of St. Hubert and the Order of the Golden Fleece.


Thaler 1740, Mannheim, on the Vicariate.   Ø 43 mm, 43,81g.  Haas 27; Dav.2530.
Joint issue with Karl Albert of Bavaria.
Obv.:   D:G·C·ALB&C·PHIL·ELECT·PROVisor·&·VICARII   "..., Electors, administrators and governors"
Both busts to the right, each with a Golden Fleece hanging on a ribbon.
Rev.:   IN·PARTibus·RHENI·SUEViae·ET IURis·FRANCONici·1740
"In the Rhineland, Swabia and the areas of Frankish law"
Double-headed eagle, the Bavarian and Palatinate coats of arms on the breast,
underneath the Golden Fleece.

Palatinate-Bavaria

Karl Theodor, 1742-99 Elector Palatine & Duke of Jülich-Berg,
1777-99 Elector of Bavaria
- Successor of Karl III. Philipp in the Palatinate and Maximilian III. Joseph in Bavaria -
Karl Theodor, Duke of Pfalz-Sulzbach since 1733, became Elector Palatine as well as Duke of Pfalz-Neuburg and Duke of Jülich-Berg after the Pfalz-Neuburg line died out in 1742. When the Bavarian line of the Wittelsbachs died out in 1777, Karl Theodor also inherited Bavaria. He moved his residence from Mannheim to Munich. Since he remained childless, his successor Maximilan Joseph from the Palatinate-Zweibruchn branch was finally able to unite all areas of the Wittelsbach family.
Karl Theodor received the Austrian Order of the Golden Fleece in 1778, when he was already Bavarian Elector.


Convention thaler 1790, Munich.   Ø 41 mm, ca.28 g.   Hahn 360; Dav.1970.
On the Imperial Vicariate after the death of Emperor Leopold II.
Obv.:   CARolus THeodorus, Dei Gratia Comes Palatinus Rheni, Vtriusque Bavariae Dux, Sacri Romani Imperii Archidapifer & Elector & In Partibus RHeni, SVEViae & Iuris FRANConici PROVisor & VICarius
"Karl Theodor, by the grace of God Count Palatine on the Rhine, Duke of the Two Bavarians, Archtruchsess of the Holy Roman Empire and Elector, protector in the area of Rhenish and Swabian law"
bust to right with an ermine cloak and hair tied at the nape of the neck,
underneath C.D. (Cajetan Destouches, die cutter).
Rev.:   IVLiaci CLiviae & MONTium Dux, Landgravius Leuchtenbergensis, Princeps Meursii, Marchio Montis Ad Zomam, Comes Veldentiae, Sponheimi, Marcae & Ravensbergae, Dominus In Ravenstein, 1790
Nimbed double-headed eagle, on the breast the three-part coat of arms of Palatinate-Bavaria covered with the electoral hat and hung with four chains of the Order - of the Golden Fleece, St. George, St. Hubert and St. Michael.


Convention thaler 1792, Manheim, on the Vicariate.   Ø 40 mm.   Hahn 403; Dav.1974.
Obv.:   CAR·THEOD:D:G·C·P·R·V·B·D·S·R·I·A·D·&EL·PROV·&VICAR·
Nude bust to the right, with a hair bow. Below A·S (Anton Schäffer, die cutter).
Rev.:   IN·PART·RHENI·SVEV·ET·IVR·FRANCON·  -  Nimbed double-headed eagle, crowned round coat of arms (Palatinate/Bavaria/Imperial Apple) on the chest. Surrounded by a order chain of the Golden Fleece. Below date 17 - 92.


Convention thaler 1792, Munich, on the Vicariate.   Ø 40 mm.   Hahn 367; Dav.1973.
Obv.:   C·TH·D G Comes Palatinus Rheni Vtriusque Bavariae Dux Sacri Romani Imperii Archidapifer & Elector & In Partibus RHeni SVEVici & In FRanconia PROVisor & VICarius
Nude bust to the right, without hair bow, no sign below.
Rev.:   JVLiaci·CLiviae·&·Montium·Dux·Landgravius·Leuchtenbergae·Princeps·Meursiae·Marchio·Montis·
Ad·Zomam·Comes·Veldentiae·Sponhemi·Marcae·&·Ravensbergae·Dominus·In·Ravenstein·
Double-headed eagle as above, but multi-fielded and almost rectangular coat of arms.
Below the chains and signs of four different orders as well as the divided date.
The title of the coin's issuer requires the legend of both sides and does not forget an old unrealistic claim to the small dominion of Ravenstein at the river Maas.

A little later, a new era begins in which ordens are hardly ever displayed on coins.
Karl Theodor's successor was Maximilian IV. Joseph (†1825), whom Napoleon proclaimed King Maximilian I of Bavaria in 1806. Karl Theodor was awarded the Order of the Golden Fleece in 1813.
However, this is not shown on any of his coins.

Fürstenberg
The Swabian noble family is known to numismatists for the famous coin collection in Donaueschingen, which was auctioned off in 1931. The Fürstenberg family received the mint right from Emperor Maximilian in 1500, but it was Egon VIII von Fürstenberg-Heiligenberg (reigned 1618-35) who began to mint coins (thalers, 12, 6 and 3 kreuzers). In 1716 the Fürstenberg-Heiligenberg line, which had meanwhile become princes, died out and the Fürstenberg-Stühlingen line took over the leadership of the family.
Joseph Wilhelm Ernst of Fürstenberg-Stühlingen, 1704-1762, 1716 Prince
Joseph Wilhelm Ernst (*1699) became the fifth ruling prince of Fürstenberg in 1716. In 1723 he moved his seat of power from Stühlingen to Donaueschingen, where the residence of the Fürstenbergs remained from then on. Joseph served Emperor Charles VI, who awarded him the Order of the Golden Fleece in 1739. He then served the successors Emperors Charles VII and Franz I Stephan.

Ducat 1750, Prague.   Ø 21 mm, 3,45 g.   Dollinger 28; Friedb.1064.
Obv.:   Dei·Gratia·IOSEPHUS·Sacri·Romani·Imperi· - Princeps·IN·FVRSTENBERG·
Armored bust with Golden Fleece on a ribbon on the chest.
Rev.:   LANDGravius·BARi·&STULingiae· - Comes·IN·HEILIGenberg·& WERDenberg:
On crowned princely mantle the chain and Order of the Golden Fleece surrounding a squared coat of arms (1&4: flag of Heiligenberg with rings; 2&3: stepped slanting bar for Werdenberg),
below owl between date 17-50.
From the gold yield of the princely Fürstenberg gold mine in Kotzau near Eule in Bohemia, the so-called Eulen ducats were minted in 1750-54 in the mint in Prague. Hence the owl as a mint mark.


Convention thaler 1762, Munich.   Ø 40 mm, 28,02 g.   Dollinger 27; Dav.2268.
Obv.:   IOSEPH·WILLH·ERNEST·S·R·I·PR·DE FURSTENBERG·   -   Portrait in armor to the right with neck ribbon, folded cloak and the Order of the Golden Fleece.
Rev.:   AD LEGEM CONVENTIONIS·   "According to legal convention"  -  Fürstenberg coat of arms on cartouche, under the princely hat, surrounded by the chain of the Order of the Golden Fleece.
Exegue: AUSBEUTTHALER / VON S·SOPHIA KOBOLD / UND SILBER ZECHE / BEY WITICHEN / 1762
"Exploitation thaler from St. Sophia Kobold and the silver mine at Wittichen"
The dies were made by the Bavarian medallist F. A. Schega in Munich.

Karl Egon I of Fürstenberg-Pürglitz, 1762-1787
Karl Egon (*1707) was the second son of Joseph Wilhelm Ernst von Fürstenberg-Stühlingen and founder of the Bohemian branch in Pürglitz. He became the highest burgrave and governor of Bohemia. In 1767 he was awarded the Order of the Golden Fleece.

Ducat 1772, Prague.   Ø 20 mm, 3,48 g.   Dollinger 42; Holzmair 38; Friedb.1065.
Obv.:  CAROLUS·EGON·PRIN: - IN·FÜRSTENBERG·
Bust right, in cloak, with Fleece on ribbon.
Rev.:   LANDGravius:BARi·& STULingen:Comes:IN·HEILIG:& WERD:1772·
On a crowned princely mantle the fleece chain surrounding a shield with a single-headed eagle, superimposed with the four-field coat of arms (1&4: Heiligenberg, 2&3: Werdenberg).
The prince received in 1772 the permission, to issue 5000 ducats in the Pragie mint "from the
old (Celtic) coins found on his estate".

Lit.:
Dollinger, F.: Die Fürstenbergischen Münzen und Medaillen. Donaueschingen 1903 & im Netz.



Continuation,   Part 2b:  more appointed knights

Overview
Order of the Golden Fleece on coins and medals
1. Sovereigns of the Order
Part 1a :   Philip the Good - Emperor Charles V
Part 1b :  King Philip II - Spanish / Austrian branch
2. Appointed knights
Part 2a :  Baden, Bavaria, Brunswick & Lueneburg,
Palatinate, Palatinate-Neuburg, Palatinate-Bavaria, Fürstenberg
Part 2b :  Poland, Saxony, Rietberg, Wuerttemberg
Part 2c :  Italy, Spain, ..., Transylvania
Part 2d :  Austrian new princes

Start page Varia