Prussia 1850-A 2 thaler Dav-771
This specimen was lot 55721 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Pittsburgh, PA, August 2023), where it sold for $360. The catalog description[1] noted, "GERMANY. Prussia. 2 Talers, 1850-A. Berlin Mint. Friedrich Wilhelm IV. PCGS AU-58. From the Collection of Richard Evans Norton (1872-1946)." This specimen is one of a type struck at the Berlin mint 1843-51, during the reign of Friedrich Wilhelm IV (1840-61). Despite the large mintage it is not frequently seen in the United States though it is not rare for a double thaler. In 1871, with the successful conclusion of the Franco-Prussian War, king Wilhelm assumed the title of Emperor of Germany. The currency was reformed to use pfennigs and marks and the taler was dropped, tho it remained legal tender at three mark.
Recorded mintage: 221,129.
Specification: 37.12 g, 0.900 fine silver.
Catalog reference: Dav-771; KM-440.2.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns and Talers, Since 1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, August 2023 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
Link to: