Pfalz 1740 1-1/2 thaler Dav-2529
This specimen was lot 4345 in Künker sale 441 (Osnabrück, March 2026), where it sold for €10,000 (about US$13,757 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"PFALZ, KURFÜRSTENTUM Karl Philipp, 1716-1742. 1 1/2facher Reichstaler 1740, Mannheim, auf das Vikariat. Geharnischtes Brustbild des 79jährigen Kurfürsten r. mit umgelegtem Mantel und der Kette des Ordens vom Goldenen Vlies//Doppeladler mit den drei pfälzischen Wappenschilden auf der Brust, darüber Kurhut, unter den Schilden die Ketten des St. Hubertusordens und des Ordens vom Goldenen Vlies. In US-Plastikholder der NGC mit der Bewertung MS 63 (6437520-005). Von großer Seltenheit. Prachtvolle Patina, vorzüglich-Stempelglanz. Exemplar der Auktion Fritz Rudolf Künker 180, Berlin 2011, Nr. 244 und der Slg. Annemarie und Gerd Köhlmoos, Auktion Fritz Rudolf Künker 358, Osnabrück 2022, Nr. 163. (electorate of the Palatinate, Charles Philip, 1716-42, 1½ thaler of 1740, Mannheim mint, for the vicariat. Obverse: mantled and armored bust of the 79 year old elector with order chain; reverse: double headed eagle supports the capped triple arms of Pfalz, Orders of St. Hubert and the Golden Fleece around. Graded MGC MS-63, extremely rare, superb patina, extremely fine to uncirculated.)"
A vicariat occurred between the death of the Holy Roman Emperor and the election of his replacement. This office became ceremonial after the Hapsburgs monopolized the imperial throne. This example was sold previously for €9,000 as lot 163 in Künker sale 358 (Osnabrück, January 2022). It is reported in the SCWC as a single thaler but the weight is correct for a 1½ thaler. A single thaler (Dav-2530), quarter thaler and half thaler were also issued on this occasion. The Wittelsbachs of the Pfalz and the Wittelsbachs of Bavaria were separate lines until 1777, when the elector of the Palatinate succeeded to the electorate of Bavaria, reuniting the family.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 43.5 g, silver, this specimen 43,84 g.
Catalog reference: KM 289, Dav-2529; Haas 25; Slg. Memmesh. 2423; Slg. Kömmerling (Auktion UBS 65) 413.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Davenport, John S., German Talers, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1965.
- [1]Künker, Fritz Rudolf, Horst-Rudiger Künker, Ulrich Künker and Andreas Kaiser, Frühjahrs-Auktion 441: Orders and Decorations from the Estate of Wilhelm, Duke of Bavaria (1752–1837), among others | Coins and Medals from the Middle Ages and Modern times, particularly Denmark, Habsburg, Norway, and Saxony, Osnabrück: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co., AG, 2026.
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