Ladislaus IV Vasa, Thaler Elbląg Silver 1636 (3+) ex. Potocki
Władysław IV Vasa, Taler Elbląg Silver 1636 (condition: 3+) ex. Potocki
This extremely rare Elbląg taler from the reign of Władysław IV Vasa is distinguished by the Potocki family ownership mark. The offered specimen represents a unique variant. In this version, the berries in the wreath are arranged with 20 on the left side and 17 on the right, a variety not recorded in the "Corpus Nummorum Civitatis Elbingensis" catalog.
The taler has been recorded only in major collections of Polish coins, including those of H. Stecki, K. Sobański, A. Preis, the Potocki family, Z. Chełmiński, L. Frankiewicz, O. von Kubicki, and W. Chomiński.
A rare and impressive taler, well struck, with a mark from a suspension loop above the king’s portrait. A numismatic item occasionally appearing at auctions, sought after by collectors.
In the study of Elbląg coins "Corpvs Nummorvm Civitatis Elbingensis" by Dutkowski and Suchanek, a description of this taler is provided below:
"The treaty concluded in Stuhmsdorf in 1635 provided for the return of the city of Elbląg, occupied by the Swedes, to the authority of the Polish King. On January 12, 1636, the city paid homage to King Władysław IV. The king himself arrived in the city on February 11, and after receiving a sum of 100,000 zlotys from the citizens as a form of reparation for the city's betrayal, he confirmed all former privileges, including those granted by King Gustav Adolf. The city then made an agreement with Jakob Jakobson, the leaseholder of all crown mints, to establish a mint in Elbląg. However, since a ban on minting small coins had been in effect since 1627, only talers were minted. The design was based on Gdańsk talers, with the bust of the ruler facing forward, and the coin bears two dates, 1635 referring to the peace of Stuhmsdorf and 1636 as the minting date."
Obverse: features the bust of King Władysław IV in armor and without a crown, facing right. Around the edge is the inscription: "VLADISL IV D G REX P M D L RUS PR MA SA LI N N SUEC GO VA H REX".
Reverse: presents the oval coat of arms of Elbląg surrounded by a laurel wreath. Above the shield appears the year 1635 and the initials I-I of Jakob Jakobson. The bottom of the coin shows the abbreviated date 3-6 and the inscription: "ELBINGA INTER ARMA SERVATA".
Literature: Kopicki 7103 (R5), Hutten-Czapski 1767 (R4), Pfau 420, Tyszkiewicz 75 mk
