"Brandtalar" - a thaler with a burning city - was the first thaler of the city of Toruń!
This coin, which is very rare today, was a commemorative issue launched in 1630. It was minted to honor the defenders of the city who resisted the Swedish army in 1629. Its issuance, however, did not end under Sigismund III. The city of Torun minted them also during the reign of John II Casimir, as Wojciech Jękot brilliantly argued in the pages of Numismatic Review (expanded article available GNDM.pl).
The resumption of the issuance of Brandtalars is connected with the round 30th anniversary of these famous events, falling in 1659, but the reasons for the issue should be sought earlier. In 1655, the city signed a deed of surrender to Swedish troops without a fight. The occupation lasted until December 1658. It was not until the armistice of January 1, 1959 that King John Casimir solemnly entered the city, but the very form of surrender of the city could not please the ruler. The coin, referring to glorious moments, could therefore be an excellent tool to remind the king of "better times," as well as to give the ruler a lot of money in the form of reparations.
The type is distinguished both by its method of production - "cylindrical" rather than kaffir minting - and by the star (his mint mark) characteristic of coinage issues of the time of Hans David Lauer, also known from the regular thalers of John Casimir.
A nicely presented piece. Probable pendant mark at 12 o'clock, but coin with no signs of wear. Relief well preserved, with no spinning. Nice even patina. Quite good embossing quality for this type.
Silver, diameter 44-46.5 mm, weight 27.7 mm.