Charles II named John George II of Saxony a Knight of the Garter, and this 1678 taler was struck in Saxony to mark that honor. Few German talers carry an English chivalric theme, and this Davenport 7633 issue is one of the best known of them. The whole design speaks French, the court language of the Garter, which sets it apart from the usual Saxon armorial talers of the period. Survivors in high grade are not easily found, since these pieces circulated and were often used as presentation gifts.

The obverse carries St. George on horseback, lance lowered into the dragon beneath him, with plumes rising from both helmet and horse. Around the outer rim runs the French legend EN HONNEUR DU SOUVERAIN DU TRES NOBLE ORDRE DE LA IARTIERE, framed by a laurel border. The reverse abandons heraldry entirely for nine lines of French text naming Charles II, by the grace of God King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, with the Roman date MDCLXXVIII below. Laurel branches tied at the base enclose the inscription, and the lettering stands in sharp relief.

NGC graded this taler AU-55, with only light rub on the highest points of the rider and horse. The surfaces show deep, even patina with hints of russet, and the legends on both sides read clearly from rim to rim. At this grade the design details remain strong enough to enjoy the engraver's work without the softness that plagues circulated examples. A welcome addition to any collection of German states talers or British royal history in silver.

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