Thaler

Leopold (1586-1632), whose image appears on the presented thaler, was the son of Archduke Charles II Francis of Austria (1540-1590), the ruler of Carinthia, Styria and Inner Austria. The coin was minted at the Hall mint in Tirol because Leopold was appointed governor of Tirol and Further Austria in 1619 after the death of his relative, Maximilian III (1558-1618). This is indicated at the end of the inscription on the reverse of the coin – “ruler of Tirol” – referring to his role as the administrator of the region. The reverse features an escutcheon with the Archduke's crown. On the escutcheon, in addition to the coats of arms of the kingdoms of Bohemia and Hungary, there were also the coats of arms of Styria and Gorizia, as well as Further Austria and the Duchy of Burgundy. Between them is the coat of arms of the Archduchy of Austria. A small shield with the coat of arms of the County of Tirol was placed in the centre. Although still a child, Leopold became bishop of Passau in 1598, and in 1607 he also took over the bishopric of Strasbourg. The ruler’s sacral honours are also indicated by small escutcheons placed under the main coat of arms and the image of the ruler on the obverse of the coin. It depicts Leopold wearing a mozzetta – a short cape, a traditional part of bishop’s and cardinal’s garb. It is interesting how Leopold claims being the Archduke of Austria without actually being one. The inscription on the obverse can be translated as as well as the others the Archduke of Austria. In 1626 Leopold resigned from his religious positions to marry and live a secular life. At that point, he officially received the title of Archduke of Further Austria and was known since then as Leopold V. He died in the town of Schwaz, whose mine supplied silver for the Tyrolean thalers.

Mieszko Pawłowski