Prussia 1851-A thaler Dav-769
This specimen was lot 31066 in Heritage sale 3105 (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $1,440. The catalog description[1] noted, "German States: Prussia. Friedrich Wilhelm IV Taler 1851-A MS66+ NGC, Berlin mint. Highest grade certified to date and appropriately so. Embellished by whirling mint luster beneath a coat of olive-gray, rose and russet toning on a satin textured flan. From the Cape Coral Collection, Part II." This type was struck 1842-52 in large quantities altho the 1851 is a slightly better date. The next issue (Dav-773 of 1853-56) more honestly depicted the king's receding hairline. In 1871, the currency was reformed to use pfennigs and marks and the thaler was dropped, tho it remained legal tender at three mark.
Recorded mintage: 731,709 of this type plus 50,000 of the mining issue.
Specification: 22.27 g, 0.750 fine silver, lettered edge.
Catalog reference: KM 445, Dav-769, Thun-256.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns and Talers, Since 1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, 2023 January 9 NYINC World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction - New York #3105, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2022.
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