bavarikon4U1/2 Taler auf die Einweihung des Aschaffenburger Schlosses 1614 unter Johann Schweikhard von Kronberg
Description
The obverse of the half-thaler shows the shield of the Archbishop of Mainz, Johann Schweikhard von Kronberg (1604-1624), which is composed of his family coat of arms and the coat of arms of the archbishopric in square form. The reverse celebrates the inauguration of Aschaffenburg's Schloss Johannisburg after its reconstruction on 17 February 1614. This was also the 10th anniversary of Johann Schweikhard's election as Archbishop and Elector of Mainz. It is therefore understandable that he had a whole series of similar pieces minted in both silver and gold for this occasion. The areas around Aschaffenburg in the Electorate of Mainz experienced a huge upswing with the reconstruction of the castle. Not only was a central administration established here with its own judicial and financial administration as well as all the necessary military offices from then on, but Aschaffenburg was also a residence city with the court and government of the archbishop and elector.
The die cutter of the present coin will probably have been inspired by a copperplate engraving by the architect Georg Ridinger (1568-1617) when depicting Schloss Johannisburg.