Prussia 1785-A thaler Dav-2590
The first specimen was lot 1283 in Ponterio sale 173 (New York, January 2013), where it sold for $822. The catalog description[1] noted, "GERMANY. Prussia. Taler, 1785-A. NGC AU-58. Friedrich II (1740-86)." The second specimen was lot 128 in Sincona sale 69 (Zürich, May 2021), where it sold for 225 CHF (about US$299 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"DEUTSCHLAND | Brandenburg / Prussia. Friedrich II. 1740-1786. Taler 1783 A, Berlin. Fast vorzüglich. (Germany, kingdom of Prussia, Frederick II, 1740-86, thaler of 1783 (actually 1785), Berlin mint. About extremely fine.)"
This type was struck at Berlin (shown here), Breslau and Königsberg 1775-86. These coins saw hard use and are frequently found heavily worn. As they were only 0.750 fine, they were spent and the issues of other principalities hoarded.
Recorded mintage: 1,622,030.
Specification: 22.27 g, 0.750 fine silver, .537 troy oz AGW.
Catalog reference: KM-332.1; Dav-2590.
- 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]Ponterio, Richard, Ponterio Sale 173: The January NYINC 2013 Auction, Irvine, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2012.
- [2]Jürg Richter, Auction 69, World Coins and Medals, Bullion Auction and Chinese Banknotes, Part 1, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2021.
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