Holy Roman Empire, Archbishopric Salzburg, Johann Ernst of Thun and Hohenstein, Taler 1699

The issuer of this magnificent Salzburg taler was Archbishop Johann Ernst of Thun and Hohenstein (1687-1709), who is known under the sobriquet of the "founder" (der Stifter). Johann Ernst founded a convent school for young women as well as several colleges that were to enable destitute young men to attend university. With this, the archbishop raised a personal elite, for the young men were obliged to enter his services after completing their studies.