Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
Julius (1568-1589), Thaler 1587, Goslar mint
Obverse: six field coat of arms, above three knight's helmets
M G IVLLIVS D G D BR E L G V
Reverse: wild man with a lamp, date on the sides
ALIIS INSERVIENDO CONSVMOR
Weight 29.08 g
Julius ruled from 1568 until his death in 1589. He is considered one of the most important rulers of the Duchy of Braunschweig. Julius's father believed that he did not meet the requirements for a ruler and, therefore, he was being prepared for church service. He also had two older brothers who had priority to take power after his father, which also reduced his chances of ruling the principality. During one of his many armed conflicts, his two older brothers died in the bloody Battle of Sievershausen in 1553. Julius suddenly became the only heir to the throne, which his father did not like very much. Julius did not possess the chivalrous skills and physical prowess that were considered necessary at the time to become a ruler. Prince Julius introduced the reformation in his country just two months after taking office. There has also been an administrative reform and a completely new economic policy based on mercantilism. Mineral resources and infrastructure were developed. Julius left his son and heir to Henryk Julius an orderly and financially sound principality.
Julius lichttalars are thalers that were minted in the years 1569-1587. They got their name from the image of the coin, which shows a wild man with a tree trunk in his left hand and a lamp with burning light in his right. The wild man, the symbol of the Harz region and the spirit of the mountains, the legendary figure of the Harz and the embodiment of natural strength. The burning light in the lamp matches the motto of Prince ALIIS INSERVIENDO CONSVMOR, "I devour myself in the service of others."
