BOHEMIA. Friedland & Sagan. Ducat, 1633. Albrecht Wallenstein. PCGS AU-53.Fr-145. VERY RARE. Obverse: Bareheaded bust in uniform facing, ALBERTVS.D.G.DVX MEGAPOL.FRIDL; Reverse: Coat of arms with metal chain around, ET.SAGAE.PRINC.VANDAL.1633. A well struck, nicely centered example with bold, fully readable legends and warm honey golden toning throughout.Albrecht (Albert) Wallenstein (1583-1634) was a nobleman and military leader who rose to prominence during the Thirty Years War, fighting on the Catholic side. He became the supreme commander of the army of Emperor Ferdinand II, and as a result of his victories and reputation, was able to buy the Duchy of Sagan and was awarded the Duchies of Mecklenburg. He was granted the right to mint coinage in 1626. His ambitions began to concern Ferdinand II, who suspected him of planning a coup to take control of the Holy Roman Empire. He was removed from active duty in 1630 and retired to his capital of the Duchy of Friedland. However, the war soon demanded his presence in the field again, and he went on to command a number of battles in 1633-4. By now, a rift was developing between Wallenstein and Ferdinand II regarding his military decisions, and the latter resolved to find him guilty of treason. There was some evidence of this, as Wallenstein had in fact been considering changing sides in the conflict. A secret court duly found him guilty, and in the course of fleeing to meet the enemy Swedes, presumably to seek asylum, he was assassinated by members of his own trusted troops on February 25, 1634. Most of his coinage was subsequently confiscated and melted down.From the Collection of Dr. James Eustace Bizzell, II.
