Cologne 1759 1/2 thaler
This specimen was lot 299 in Sincona Auction 103 (Zürich, May 2026), where it sold for 1,900 CHF (about US$2,896 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"DEUTSCHLAND Köln, Erzbistum. Clemens August von Bayern, 1723-1761. 1/2 Taler 1759, Bonn oder Koblenz. Auf den Erlass der Bergordnung. Geprägt aus westfälischem Feinsilber. Sehr selten. Fast vorzüglich. (Germany, archbishopric of Cologne, Clement Augustus of Bavaria, 1723-61, half thaler of 1759, Bonn or Coblenz mint. Commemorating the enactment of the mining ordinance. Struck in fine Westphalian silver. Very rare, About Extremely Fine.)"
This commemorative accompanied a quarter thaler (KM 153) and a full thaler (Dav-2175). Some bear the initials "EGF". Numista comments, "Made with a much finer silver than other 1/2 thalers at the time which is the reason for the light weight." Clement August was the last Wittelsbach archbishop of Cologne; his death in 1761 ended 178 years of continuous rule by that family.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 10.8 g, silver, 35.6 mm diameter, this specimen 10.86 g.
Catalog reference: KM 152, Noss 764, Wittelsbach 2075, Müseler 38/3.
- Davenport, John S., German Talers, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1965.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, Michael Hardmeier, Michael Otto, Arne Kirsch, Ruedi Kunzmann and Timur Demirai, SINCONA Auction 103: World and Swiss coins and medals, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2026.
Links to: