Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym 1774-BFNS 1/2 thaler
The first specimen was lot 30580 in Heritage sale 3081 (New York, January 2020), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted, "German States: Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym. Karl Ludwig 1/2 Taler 1774-B(F)N/S MS63 PCGS. Offering a sharp and balanced strike, with a delicate display of silver patination that darkens subtly toward the outer registers, where a crescent of copper coloration enhances the lower region. A scarce type, rarely encountered on auction." The second specimen was lot 97 in Sincona sale 69 (Zürich, May 2021), where it sold for 450 CHF (about US$597 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"DEUTSCHLAND | Anhalt-Schaumburg, Fürstentum. Carl Ludwig, 1772-1806. 1/2 Konventionstaler 1774, Frankfurt. Ausbeute des Holzappeler Bergwerks. Sehr schön. Kaum sichtbare Henkelspur. (Germany, principality of Anhalt-Schaumburg, Charles Louis, 1772-1806, half convention thaler of 1774, Frankfurt mint. for the Holzappeler mine. Very fine, Hardly visible trace of mounting.)"
The entire coinage of this state comprises this half thaler and an accompanying thaler (Dav-1907), both rare. The SCWC notes that this subdivision of Anhalt was erected in 1707 but fell extinct in 1812.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 11.77 g, 0.986 fine silver, the second specimen 23.37 g.
Catalog reference: KM 1, J-21, Mann 847. Müseler 1.4/2.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3081, featuring the Caranett Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.
- [2]Jürg Richter, Auction 69, World Coins and Medals, Bullion Auction and Chinese Banknotes, Part 1, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2021.
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