2/3 Thaler Anhalt-Bernburg (1603 - 1863) Silver Alexius Frederick ...

1806, Anhalt-Bernburg, Alexius Frederick Christian. Silver 2/3 Thaler Coin.

Mint Year: 1806 Denomination: 2/3 Thaler Reference: KM-72 Weight: 13.80gm Diameter: 32mm Material: Silver

Obverse: Crowned bear walking on castle´s walls with a gate. All within a circle of dots. Reverse: Roman value numeral (XX) above denomination (EINE FEINE MARK), date (1806) and mint initials (.H.S.). All border of dots. Legend: * ALEXIUS FRIED . CHRISTIAN HERZOG ZU ANHALT

Anhalt-Bernburg was a German principality whose capital was Bernburg, and existed until 1863. The principality was created in 1252 when the Principality of Anhalt was partitioned between Anhalt-Aschersleben, Anhalt-Bernburg and Anhalt-Zerbst. After the ruling family became extinct in 1468, Anhalt-Bernburg was merged with Anhalt-Zerbst. The latter was divided in 1603 among the lines of Anhalt-Dessau, Anhalt-Köthen, Anhalt-Plötzkau, Anhalt-Bernburg and Anhalt-Zerbst. In 1635 the line of Anhalt-Harzgerode, which existed to 1709, was separated from Anhalt-Bernburg. In 1718 the Principality of Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym was created, and was reunited with Anhalt-Bernburg in 1812. In 1847 Anhalt-Bernburg inherited the Principality of Anhalt-Köthen. After the death of the last Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg, the principality was merged with Anhalt-Dessau.

Alexius Frederick Christian of Anhalt-Bernburg (12 June 1767 – 24 March 1834), was a German prince of the House of Ascania. From 1796 until 1807 he was Reigning prince of the principality of Anhalt-Bernburg, and from 1807 until 1834 the first Duke of the Duchy of Anhalt-Bernburg.

Alexius Frederick Christian was born on 12 June 1767 at Ballenstedt. He was the only son of Frederick Albert, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg, by his wife Louise Albertine, daughter of Frederick Carl, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Plön.

From early childhood, he and his sister Pauline received an excellent education. After the death of his father in 1796, Alexius Frederick Christian inherited Anhalt-Bernburg.

The territories of Anhalt-Bernburg were augmented one year later with the formal division of Anhalt-Zerbst in 1797; Alexius Frederick Christian received the towns of Coswig and Mühlingen, which represented 1/3 of the defunct principality. In 1812, with the extinction of the Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym branch of the House of Ascania, he inherited Hoym and some Prussian enclaves.

Alexius improved education with the building and enlargement of many churches and schools. He demonstrated a special interest in expanding the road network, especially in the newly acquired areas of his principality. The mining and metallurgical industry also benefited from his attention. Alexius Frederick Christian initiated several major construction projects, such as the Saalebrücke in Bernburg (Saale), which was later destroyed. In 1810 he founded the Alexisbad in Selketal and later, in the Prussian area of Gernrode, he created the Beringer Bad.

In matters of religion, he was tolerant and enlightened; in 1820 he finally declared the Reformist and Lutheran faiths to be the official co-religions of his state. In 1826 he joined the German Zollverein and in 1829 created a civil fund for orphans, widows, and servants.

The Emperor Francis II elevated him to the rank of Duke in 1807. After the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire, Alexius Frederick Christian, with his kinsmans the Dukes of Anhalt-Dessau and Anhalt-Köthen, joined the Confederation of the Rhine. Some of his troops fought for Napoleon in Tyrol, Spain, Russia, Gdańsk, and Kulm. On 13 December 1813 he resigned from the Confederation of the Rhine and sent his troops with his allies in 1814 and 1815 to Belgium and France. On 8 June 1815 he joined the German Confederation.

Duke Alexius Frederick Christian died at Ballenstedt on 24 March 1834.