SILVER THALER, German States - Saxony
Christian I – Dated 1591
(Elector of Saxony 1586-1591)
Obv: Armored half length bust of Christian I with sword: “CHRISTIAN.D:G.DVX.SAXO.SA.ROMA.IMP”
Rev: Elaborate coat of arms & attributes “ARCHIMARS CHAL.ET.ELEC”
Mint: Dresden
(Davenport 9806) 41mm 29.05gm
Christian I of Saxony (October 29, 1560 in Dresden – September 25, 1591 in Dresden) was Elector of Saxony from 1586 to 1591. He belonged to the Albertine line of the House of Wettin.
He was the sixth but second surviving son of Elector Augustus of Saxony and Anna of Denmark. The death of his older brother, Alexander (October 18, 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.
