Germany, Palatinate of Simmern, Richard, ducat 1578, Simmern mint.
Obv. RICHA D G C PA RHE DVX BA, full figure of the prince facing, in tournament armour.
Rv. MO NO AVREA SIMERENSIS, the shield of the Palatinate and Bavaria divides the date 7 - 8; at the bottom, in a ring, the value mark I DK.
Gold, 3.49 g, 22.8 mm. Friedberg 2051; Slg. Memmesh. 2646.
Grade: about UNC, no traces of circulation, a beautiful Renaissance coin.
Prince Richard of Simmern, the younger brother of Prince-Elector Frederick III of Palatinate, was supported throughout his life by his older brother, and then nephew, Louis VI and his successors, because the tiny lordhip of Simmern had little income and the prince lived beyond his means. His gold coins, displaying the magnificence of the ruler, express these ambitions at someone else's expense. Ex Roma Numismatics.
