Mint Year: 1637
Mint Place: Salzburg
Denomination: Thaler
Ruler: Count Paris von Lodron.
Reference: Davenport 3504, KM-87.
Condition: A beautiful XF+ with nice colorful iridiscent patina!
Weight: 28.87gm
Diameter: 41mm
Material: Silver
Obverse: Saint Rupert, wearing episcopal regalia, holding crozier and salt barrel. All within wreath border, arms of Salzburg below.
Legend: SANCT • RVDBER TVS • EPS • SALISB : 1637
Reverse:Madonna with Child and staff. Count Paris von Lodron´s arms (Lion), topped by Archibishop´s hat above cross below.
Inner Legend: SIDIVM . CONF - SVB . TVVM . PRAE
Legend: PARIS • D : G : ARCHI - EPS • SAL : SE : AP : LE :
St. Rupert was the first abbot of Salzburg, from 696 to his death in 718. He is variously considered to be Frankish or Irish, but developed a reputation for holiness while preaching in Worms. Theodo, Duke of Bavaria, sent a request to Rupert to come to Bavaria to instruct him in the faith. Rupert accepted, and baptized Theodo and his entire entourage in the town of Regensburg, where the Duke had traveled in his excitement to meet Rupert.
In the following years, under the patronage of Theodo and his son Theodobert, Rupert spread the Gospel message throughout Bavaria, and suceeded in converting or re-converting whole regions. Rupert asked Theodo for the right to build a church among the ruins of the ancient Roman town of Juvavia. This Theodo granted, and Rupert founded St. Peter's Church and Abbey and the Nonnburg convent, the oldest continuing monastery and convent in the German-speaking world. Around the Benedictine monks and nuns who accepted Rupert's call grew the town of Salzburg. To this day, September 24 is marked throughout Austria with a St. Rupert's Day country fair, Ruperti Kirtag.