(sold for $436.0)

1772, Frankfurt (Free City). Beautiful Silver "City View" Thaler Coin. XF!

Mint year: 1772
Denomination: Thaler
Mint Place: Frankfurt (Free City)
Reference: Davenport 2226, KM-251.
Mint Master: Philipp Christian Bunsen (P.C.B.)
Condition: Minor weight-adjusting marks, a few deposits and a few hairlines, otherwise a nice XF!
Weight: 28.09gm
Diameter: 40mm
Material: Silver

Obverse: Illuminated triangle with three dots (the Holy Trinity) shining above landscape view of the City of Frankfurt with river Main in middle.
Comment: Bridge in background, buildings at sides, three boats in the river and two cornuacopiae flanking winged caduceus in foreground.
Legend: NOMEN DOMINI TVRRIS FORTISSIMA ("The name of God is a strongest Tower!") / OE (below caduceus)

Reverse: Oval coat-of-arms of Frankfurt within baroque foliage.
Legend: MONETA REIPVBL. FRANCOFVRT. AD LEGEM CONVENTIONIS
Exergue: X. ST. EINE F.M. / MDCCLXXII / P.C.B.

Frankfurt was one of the most important cities in the Holy Roman Empire. From 855 the German kings and emperors were elected in Frankfurt and crowned in Aachen. From 1562 the kings/emperors were also crowned in Frankfurt, Maximilian II being the first. This tradition ended in 1792, when Franz II was elected. His coronation was deliberately held on Bastille Day, 14 July, the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille. The elections and coronations took place in St. Bartholomäus cathedral, known as the Kaiserdom (en: Emperor's Cathedral), or in its predecessors.

The Frankfurter Messe (Frankfurt Trade Fair) was first mentioned in 1150. In 1240, Emperor Friedrich II granted an Imperial privilege to its visitors, meaning they would be protected by the Empire. Book trade fairs have been held in Frankfurt since 1478.

In 1372 Frankfurt became a Reichsstadt (en:Imperial city), i.e. directly subordinate to the Holy Roman Emperor and not to a regional ruler or a local nobleman.