World Silver & Bronze Coins (Cyprus - Z)

Lot 2197    Session 9 (4.30pm Wednesday)    World Silver & Bronze Coins (Cyprus - Z)

Estimate $400
Bid at live.noble.com.au

GERMANY, Hesse, Hermann II of Thuringia, (1227-1242), silver bacteate pfennig (0.65 g), obv. VSVS, armored knight on horseback left, holding banner, Calvary cross to left. (Bonhoff 1420, Lobbecke 948, Reichmann 1884). Dark tone, good very fine struck on a broad flan.

Ex Decades Collection and acquired from CNG Triton VIII, January 10, 2005 (lot 1574) coming from the Robert Schonwalter Collection.

Hermann II employs a number of symbols on his pfennigs - towers, steeples, birds, fish, etc.-but this Calvary cross symbol may be a specific reference to the Crusading history of his family. His grandfather, Hermann I, Landgrave of Thuringia, was instrumental in establishing the order of the Hospitallers, which had its German headquarters in Thuringia. His father, Ludwig IV the Pious, died in 1227 while on crusade with Frederick II Hohenstauffen. The sources are silent regarding Hermann II's role in the Crusades, but it might be assumed he continued in the family tradition, at least in spirit.