Nassau (1861) thaler Dav-989
This specimen was lot 5818 in Künker sale 354 (Osnabrück, Germany, September 2021), where it sold for €14,000 (about US$19,484 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"NASSAU, HERZOGTUM, Adolph, 1839-1866. Vereinstaler 1861. Münzbesuch. ADOLPH HERZOG ZU NASSAU Büste l.//Sechs Zeilen Schrift: DEM / EDLEN FÜRSTEN / GEWIDMET / BEI / BESUCH SEINER / MÜNZE. Mit glattem Rand. Von großer Seltenheit. Nur wenige Exemplare geprägt. Kabinettstück von feinster Erhaltung. Min. Haarlinien und Schrötlingsfehler, polierte Platte. (Germany, duchy of Nassau, Adolf, 1839-66, union thaler of 1861, mint visit. Obverse: bust left; reverse: seven line inscription, with plain edge. Extremely rare, few examples known, cabinet piece with minor hairlines and die cracks, proof.)"
This design was prepared for a visit from the duke. The visit was cancelled and so was the mintage after three pieces were made. Davenport calls it a "pseudo-thaler" as it was never officially produced.
Recorded mintage: 3.
Specification: 18.52 g, 0.900 fine silver, this specimen 18,55 g.
Catalog reference: KM 78; AKS 76; Dav-989; Kahnt 315; Thun 237.
- [1]Künker, Fritz Rudolf, Horst-Rudiger Künker, Ulrich Künker and Andreas Kaiser, Künker Auktion 354: Munzen und Medaillen aus Mittelalter und Neuzeit u. a. Braunschweig-Luneburg. Osnabrück: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co., AG, 2021.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns and Talers, Since 1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
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