Mecklenburg-Schwerin 1808 2/3 thaler
This specimen was lot 1392 in Jean Elsen sale 151 (Brussels, June 2022), where it sold for €120 (about US$150 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ALLEMAGNE, MECKLEMBOURG-SCHWERIN, Friedrich Franz Ier (1785-1837), AR 2/3 Taler, 1808. Fines griffes. Très Beau à Superbe. (Germany, duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Frederick Francis I, 1785-1837, silver 2/3 thaler of 1808. Fine scratches, Very Fine - Extremely Fine.)"
The duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin was bumped up to grand duke at the Congress of Vienna in 1815. This type was struck 1801, 1808 and 1810 and is surprisingly affordable. Altho denominated as two-thirds of a thaler, it has only five-ninths of the silver of a convention thaler (28.06 g, 0.833 fine).
Recorded mintage: 650,528.
Specification: 17.32 g, 0.750 fine silver, 0.417 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: KM 225, J. 20a; A.K.S. 6.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 151: Collection Paul Witte, Monnaies de Brabant, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2022.
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