Vasa dynasty, John II Casimir (1649-1668), siege thaler 1629 (Brandtalar-burning city), mint Torun
A rarer variety with 11 boats on the Vistula River and a colon after the word PROBATE:
The Siege Thaler otherwise known as the Fire Thaler is the first thaler minted in the city of Torun. This coin was minted to commemorate the successful defense of the city against the Swedish army in 1629, when 350 soldiers along with the support of 1,100 armed townspeople of Torun successfully resisted the 6,000-strong Swedish army. To commemorate this event, these thalers were minted annually for the next several years. After a 20-year hiatus, their minting resumed in 1659. When, after a three-year occupation by the Swedes during the "Deluge," King John II Casimir Vasa solemnly entered the city on January 1, 1659. In this way, the City Council, townspeople and local nobility wanted to somewhat "cover" their infamous act of capitulation and surrender of the city to the Swedish army without any resistance.
The fire thaler is one of a unique issue of 17th-century coins showing the burning panorama of the city of Toruń, and is certainly distinguished by its method of production, the so-called "cylinder" rather than kaffir minting, and the "star" mint mark of Hans David Lauer, also known from other thalers of King Jan Kazimierz.
obverse: shield of arms held by an angel and legend in seven lines: THORVNIA / HOSTILITER OPPVGNATA / ET DEI O AVXILIO / FORTR A CIVI B DEFENSA / XVI^ FEBR / ANNO / M D C XXIX
reverse: panorama of the burning city of Toruń, with clouds of smoke, below the river visible on the left Dybowski Castle, on the right a bridge over the Vistula and 11 boats on the river, in the rim the legend: FIDES ET CONSTANTIA PER IGNEM PROBATA:
Coin with pendant removed, but with very good minting details.
Silver, weight 28.80 grams, oval diameter 44.4 X 46 mm
