Saxony, John George I, 1615-1656, Reichsthaler 1629 HI

Obv.Cuir. portrait with sword on shoulder r.

Rev.Coat of arms in broken ornate circle

Historical

Johann Georg I (1585-1656) was the second son of the Elector Christian I of Saxony and his wife Princess Sophie of Brandenburg. In 1604 he married Princess Sybille Elisabeth of Württemberg, but she died with her child at the birth of their first child in 1607. In his second marriage he married Princess Magdalena Sibylle of Prussia, with whom he had seven children who reached adulthood.

In 1611 he took over the government of Electoral Saxony from his brother Christian II, who had died childless.

He spent a lot of time at the negotiating table and in the field, as his reign coincided with the increasingly fierce conflict between Protestants and Catholics, which ultimately culminated in the Thirty Years' War.

In the beginning, he always strove for neutrality, but in the course of the war he initially sided with the Protestants. After the Peace of Prague in 1635, he switched to the side of the Catholics and was able to make significant territorial gains.

Johann Georg was a booze-loving and hunting-loving ruler. His predilections earned him the derisive name "Bierjörge" (Beer Jester) and ensured that Saxony's coffers were always empty.

Thus the prince repeatedly came into conflict with his estates.

Saxony, Christian I, 1586-1591, Reichsthaler 1591 HB

On the occasion of his death

Obv.Cuir. portrait with sword on shoulder r.

Rev.9 lines of writing

Saxony, John Frederick I the Magnanimous, 1532-1547, Cast-Medal 1538

Von H. Reinhardt the Elder

Obv.Moses and the burning bush

Rev.Adoration of the Magi

Historical

John Frederick I (1503-1554) was the eldest son of the Elector of Saxony John the Constant and his wife Duchess Sophie of Mecklenburg. In 1527 he married Sibylle of Cleves. The celebrations were magnificent and went down in history as the Tournament of Torgau. According to original documents, almost 32,000 people have been supplied with food and drinks over the course of nine days.

In 1532 John Frederick took over the electorate. Stubborn and irascible, obese and inclined to drink, he vehemently promoted the Reformation in his own countries. He was named "The Magnanimous" because of these efforts. And for that reason, despite his inadequacies as a statesman, he became leader of the Schmalkaldic League, a protective alliance of Protestant princes.

This brought him in conflict with the catholic Emperor Charles V. In 1546 he declared the Imperial ban over John Frederick and the Schmalkaldic War (1546-47) erupted. The war ended with a crushing defeat of the Protestants and the capture of the Elector. He remained in captivity for five years, lost his electorate and a large part of his lands. In 1554 the present Duke of Saxony died and was buried next to his wife in the church of St. Peter und Paul in Weimar.

Saxony
Reichsthaler 1631 HI
John George I, 1615-1656
Av.: Armored hip portrait right
Rs.: Sixfold helmeted coat of arms

Historical

Johann Georg I (1585-1656) was the second son of the Elector Christian I of Saxony and his wife Princess Sophie of Brandenburg. In 1604 he married Princess Sybille Elisabeth of Württemberg, but she died with her child at the birth of their first child in 1607. In his second marriage he married Princess Magdalena Sibylle of Prussia, with whom he had seven children who reached adulthood.

In 1611 he took over the government of Electoral Saxony from his brother Christian II, who had died childless.

He spent a lot of time at the negotiating table and in the field, as his reign coincided with the increasingly fierce conflict between Protestants and Catholics, which ultimately culminated in the Thirty Years' War.

In the beginning, he always strove for neutrality, but in the course of the war he initially sided with the Protestants. After the Peace of Prague in 1635, he switched to the side of the Catholics and was able to make significant territorial gains.

Johann Georg was a booze-loving and hunting-loving ruler. His predilections earned him the derisive name "Bierjörge" (Beer Jester) and ensured that Saxony's coffers were always empty.

Thus the prince repeatedly came into conflict with his estates.

Saxony
Reichsthaler 1632 HI
John George I, 1615-1656
Av.: Armored hip portrait right
Rs.: Sixfold helmeted coat of arms

Historical

Johann Georg I (1585-1656) was the second son of the Elector Christian I of Saxony and his wife Princess Sophie of Brandenburg. In 1604 he married Princess Sybille Elisabeth of Württemberg, but she died with her child at the birth of their first child in 1607. In his second marriage he married Princess Magdalena Sibylle of Prussia, with whom he had seven children who reached adulthood.

In 1611 he took over the government of Electoral Saxony from his brother Christian II, who had died childless.

He spent a lot of time at the negotiating table and in the field, as his reign coincided with the increasingly fierce conflict between Protestants and Catholics, which ultimately culminated in the Thirty Years' War.

In the beginning, he always strove for neutrality, but in the course of the war he initially sided with the Protestants. After the Peace of Prague in 1635, he switched to the side of the Catholics and was able to make significant territorial gains.

Johann Georg was a booze-loving and hunting-loving ruler. His predilections earned him the derisive name "Bierjörge" (Beer Jester) and ensured that Saxony's coffers were always empty.

Thus the prince repeatedly came into conflict with his estates.