Prussia 1868-A thaler Dav-782
This specimen was lot 31077 in Heritage sale 3105 (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $1,800. The catalog description[1] noted, "German States: Prussia. Wilhelm I Proof Taler 1868-A PR65 NGC, Berlin mint. A flashy, kaleidoscopic gem, inconspicuous at first, but when viewed from the correct angle, bursts into a flurry of plum, cobalt, and cordovan. The center reverse is left untouched by this palette, allowing the Prussian eagle to showcase its pinpoint precision. Ex. Gulf Breeze Collection (Heritage Auction 61152, February 2020, Lot 98114). From the Cape Coral Collection, Part II." In 1857, the thaler was reformed into the vereinsthaler; the weight was lowered but the fineness increased, resulting in a smaller coin with the same amount of silver. The vereinsthaler standard was used until the decimal reform of 1871. This type was struck 1864-71 at Berlin (shown here), Hannover (mintmark "B") and Frankfurt (mintmark "C") and is very common.
Recorded mintage: 6,286,186.
Specification: 18.52 g, 0.900 fine silver, lettered edge.
Catalog reference: KM 494, Dav-782.
- 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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