1759 Prussian Schraubtaler of Frederick the Great
DESCRIPTION
Struck in the German states of Prussia in 1759, this remarkable silver schraubtaler is both a medal and a miniature illustrated history, created at the height of Seven Years’ War. Designed to unscrew and reveal a hidden sequence of engraved roundels, it chronicles the military career of Frederick II of Prussia, presenting his campaigns as a narrative of ambition, conflict, and emerging European power.
Obverse and Reverse
The obverse bears a finely modeled bust of Frederick the Great facing left, draped in classical armor with the Prussian eagle at his shoulder, surrounded by the legend FRIDERICUS MAGNUS REX BORUSSORUM, asserting both authority and imperial identity. The reverse presents an allegorical composition featuring Historia seated and writing upon a tablet, supported by Kronos, the personification of Time, symbolizing that Frederick’s deeds are worthy of enduring record.
Narrative of the Interior Scenes
Within, a remarkable series of circular engraved and printed medallions unfolds in sequence, each pairing a battle scene or city view with a French text describing the event. The series traces Frederick’s rise through the Silesian Wars and into the broader conflict of mid-18th century Europe, combining biography, cartography, and military reportage in a compact and highly visual format. The scenes emphasize decisive victories, strategic movements, and the geography of war, presenting a curated account of Prussia’s ascent:
- Frederick’s early reign, introducing the young monarch and his ambitions
- The death of Emperor Charles VI, triggering the War of Austrian Succession
- The invasion of Silesia, marking Prussia’s bold territorial expansion
- The storming of Glogau, an early demonstration of siege tactics
- The Battle of Mollwitz (1741), Frederick’s first major victory
- The capture of key Silesian strongholds, consolidating territorial control
- The Battle of Chotusitz (1742), securing Prussia’s hold on Silesia
- The Battle of Soor (1745), a decisive engagement against Austrian forces
- The Battle of Kesselsdorf (1745), leading to dominance over Saxony
- The Battle of Prague (1757), a major early clash of the Seven Years’ War
- The Battle of Kolin (1757), illustrating the challenges and reversals of war
Interspersed among these is a finely engraved map of Silesia, anchoring the narrative geographically and reinforcing the didactic intent of the piece.
Part medal, part book, and part propaganda, this schraubtaler transforms the life of Frederick the Great into a tactile and visual chronicle. It reflects both the artistry of German medallic production and the political messaging of a rising Prussian state, encapsulating history, geography, and imperial identity within a single, ingeniously constructed object.
CONDITION
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