Austria 1855-A 1/2 thaler
This specimen was lot 2741 in Sincona sale 43 (Zürich, October 2017), where it sold for 1,000 CHF (about US$1,193 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"Franz Joseph I. 1848-1916 Gulden 1855 A. Wien. Selten in dieser Erhaltung. Vorzüglich-FDC. (empire of Austria, Francis Joseph I, 1848-1916, gulden of 1855, Vienna mint. Rare in this condition, Extremely fine-uncirculated.)"
The half thaler, which had accompanied the thaler since the fifteenth century, was dropped in favor of the florin in 1857. Thalers were struck until 1868, to be superseded by the double florin. The kreuzer, formerly 120 to the thaler, was made 100 to the florin. This type was struck at Vienna and Kremnitz 1852-56 and all dates are rare.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 12.992 g, 0.900 fine silver, 30 mm diameter, this specimen 13.03 g.
Catalog reference: KM 2228.1, Herinek 39, Veselý 6, Jaeckel 295.
- Herinek, Gerhard, Austria Münzkatalog: Munzen ab 1745 und Banknoten ab 1759, 49. Auflage, Vienna: Christine Steyrer Verlag, 2022.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Veselý, Roman, Mince a medaile, 19. století, František II ab Karel I, Prague: Aurea Numismatika, 2020.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, Auction 43: Gold and Silver Coins and Medals, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2017.
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