Bavaria (1865) thaler Dav-611
This specimen was lot 75016 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice Online Auction (Costa Mesa, CA, February 2025), where it sold for $552. The catalog description[1] noted, "GERMANY. Bavaria. "Madonna" Taler, ND (1865). Munich Mint. Ludwig II. NGC MS-64. A gorgeous near-Gem, imbued with a warm gray radiance and almost prooflike finish." This type was struck 1865-71 and is common. The first year of issue was not dated. After unification in 1871, the old thalers continued to circulate as three mark pieces. King Ludwig II ruled until 1886, when he was deposed in favor of his brother. Disliked for his extravagance and his homosexuality, he died soon after under very mysterious circumstances.
Recorded mintage: 110,000.
Specification: 18.52 g, 0.900 fine silver, 33 mm diameter, lettered edge.
Catalog reference: Dav-611; KM-877.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns and Talers, Since 1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, February 2025 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancients, World Coins & World Paper Money, David B. Simpson Medals & World Coins Part 1, Selections from the Richard Margolis Collection, and Selections from the L. E. Bruun Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2025.
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