Germany Fränkischer Kreis (Franconian Circle). The Bishop of Bamberg

Germany
Fränkischer Kreis (Franconian Circle). The Bishop of Bamberg Johann Georg II of Dornheim, the Bishop of Würzburg Adolf of Ehrenberg, the Margrave Christian of Brandenburg-Bayreuth and the Margrave Joachim Ernst of Brandenburg-Ansbach jointly.
5 Ducats 1625, Fürth mint, mint master and engraver Conrad Stutz, AV 17.25 g.
Four medallions arranged as a cross with the busts and shields of arms of the rulers, each surrounded by garlands with their names and titles. Rev. SIC PUBLICA - COMODA STABUNT Justitia with sword and scales and Pax with palm branch sitting facing each other on a pedestal, the radiant name of Jehovah and two angels with laurel wreaths above, the date MDCXXV below, on the side of the pedestal the artist's signature CS. F. -; Helmschrott 186; Krug 8.01; Hackl/Klose 8a (always this piece, incorrectly described as 4 ducats, as copied from the Vogel collection).
Unique and a masterpiece by one of the most talented engravers of the Thirty Years' War period. Struck from the Taler dies. Minor metal flaws, good very fine


Part of the Würzburg-collection, purchased from J. Schulman 16.6.1936. From the Hermann Vogel collection (Auction Leo Hamburger 2.5.1927) no. 4347 (incorrectly described as 4 ducats).
This coin, unlisted in Friedberg, is of outstanding numismatic significance. Not only is it one of the few joint coinages of the early modern period, it is also the only gold coin of the Franconian Circle known to exist, apart from the coin (weighing 8 ducats) in the Berlin Coin Cabinet from the Ansbach Collection (https://ikmk.smb.museum/object?id=18201925). On 28 September 1624, the representatives of the bishops of Würzburg and Bamberg and the Margraves of Brandenburg-Bayreuth and Ansbach decided at Schoss Scharfeneck near Baiersdorf in the "Bayersdorfer Abschied" to establish a joint mint for the four rulers in Fürth. Both the coins of the individual rulers and the joint coins were to be minted there. Georg Wagner was appointed as warden and Conrad Stutz as mint master. Stutz was not only one of the most talented die engravers of his time, but had also made a fortune during the Kipper period (1619-1622) by minting large quantities of low-value coins. He ran the mint in Fürth as an independent entrepreneur and received remuneration from his clients of approximately 7 to 17% of the face value of the coins he minted.