(sold for $61.0)

1698, Bamberg, Lothar Franz von Schönborn. Silver Batzen (4 Kreuzer) Coin. VF+

Mint year: 1698 Reference: KM-85. Denomination: 4 Kreuzer (Batzen) Condition: Minor deposits, otherwise VF+ Diameter: 22mm Weight: 1.72gm Material: Silver

Obverse: Crowned and bust of St. Heinrich, holding scepter and cross-topped orb, which contains value (4). Legend: S . HEINRICVS . IMPERATOR .

Reverse: Crowned oval arms within sprays. Crozier and sword in backtround. Mint master´s initials (G-F-N) below. Legend: LOTHAR . FRANC . D . G . A . & E . M . E . BAMB . 16 - 98 .

The Bishopric of Bamberg was established in 1007, to further expand the spread of Christianity in Germany. The ecclesiastical state was a member of the Holy Roman Empire from about 1245 until it was subsumed to the Electorate of Bavaria in 1802.

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Lothar Franz von Schönborn (4 October 1655 – 30 January 1729) was the Archbishop-Elector of Mainz from 1694 until 1729, and the Bishop of Bamberg from 1693 until 1729.

Lothar Franz was born in Steinheim am Main in 1655 to Count Philip Erwin of Schönborn. He was a nephew of John Philip of Schönborn, Archbishop of Mainz from 1647 until 1673, and a grand nephew of Georg Friedrich von Greiffenklau, Archbishop of Mainz from 1626 until 1629. Furthermore he was an uncle to the influential Schönborn-Buchheim branch which included John Philip Francis, Frederick Charles, Hugh Damian and Francis George.

In 1694 Lothar Franz was elected the Archbishop of Mainz despite an opposing recommendation from the Emperor. During his reign, he increased taxation of the cathedral chapter and eroded some of its rights. In 1707 he was instrumental in the conversion of the Protestant Elizabeth Christina of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel to Catholicism. In 1711 he ensured the election of Charles VI of Austria as the Holy Roman Emperor, and was rewarded by Charles for his loyalty with 100,000 guldens with which he began the construction of Weissenstein in Pommersfelden.

In 1710 Lothar Franz became embroiled in a dispute with the cathedral chapter over his desire to have one of his nephews named coadjutor and successor. The chapter instead proposed Count Palatine Francis Louis of Neuburg, and with papal support implemented his appointment. Lothar Francis' reign was marked by an attempt to restore the waning fortunes of the Prince-Archbishopric. After leading it through the destructive Nine Years' War and the War of the Spanish Succession, during both of which the archbishopric was devastated, he reformed the administration, taxation and law which led to a more centralised state.

Lothar Franz died in Mainz on 30 January 1729. Despite greatly centralising the prince-archbishopric and increasing his personal authority at the expense of the cathedral chapter, it is disputed amongst historians as to how much an absolutist ruler Lothar Francis was.