1588, Saxony (Albertine Line), Christian I. Large Silver Thaler Coin. XF-

Mint Year: 1587
Denomination: Thaler
Ruler: Christian I of Saxony
Mint Master: Hans Biener (HB)
Reference: Davenport 251, MB#251.
Condition: Corrosion scars (minor roughness), improperly cleaned, otherwise XF!
Weight: 28.73gm
Diameter: 41mm
Material: Silver

Obverse: Bare, armored and draped bust of the Duke right, shouldering sword and holding plummed helmet in left hand. Date (15-88) above.
Legend: + . CHRISTIAN . D : G . DVX . SAXO . SA . ROMA . IMP .

Reverse: Composito coat-of-arms within foliage, topped by plummed and ornate helmets. Mint master´s initials (HB) in upper right field.
Legend: . ARCHIMARS - CHAL . ET . ELEC

The Albertine line was founded by Albrecht the Courageous, who was a grandson of Friedrick, margrave of Meissen and Thuringia. Friedrick's gransdons Ernst and Albrecht divided the family property in 1495 ( into the Ernestine and Albertine lines) with Albert obtaining Meissn and Osterland, in what later became the kingdom of Saxony.

Christian I of Saxony (Dresden, 29 October 1560 – Dresden, 25 September 1591) was Elector of Saxony from 1586 to 1591.

He was the sixth but second surviving son of Elector Augustus of Saxony and Anna of Denmark. The death of his older brother, Alexander (8 October 1565), made him the new heir apparent to the Electorate of Saxony.

Christian succeeded his father when he died, in 1586. His chancellor was Nikolaus Krell. During his reign, the first measurement was made of the Electorate of Saxony by Matthias Oeder. Later, the work of Oeder was continued by Balthasar Zimmermann until 1633 and completed as far as possible.