Salm-Kyrburg 1780-BFN thaler Dav-2644
This specimen was lot 73331 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, February 2023), where it sold for $1,680. The catalog description[1] noted, "GERMANY. Salm-Kyrburg. Taler, 1780-BFN. Frankfurt Mint. Friedrich III. PCGS Genuine--Cleaned, AU Details. A VERY RARE and seldom encountered type, this specimen has begun to re-tone rather enchantingly following its noted cleaning. From the Robert C. Knepper Collection." This tiny state, wedged between Alsace and Lorraine, was in the eighteenth century entirely surrounded by the kingdom of France yet remained a principality of the Empire. Salm was divided into numerous branches but the county of Salm-Salm was annexed to France in 1798. Two thalers are known for this line in the eighteenth century; this one and Dav-2645, both rare. The prince also issued a ten and twenty kreuzer, a half thaler and a ducat in 1780.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 28.06 g, 0.833 fine silver.
Catalog reference: Dav-2644; KM-17; J&F-1968A.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- Davenport, John S., German Talers, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1965.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, February 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, featuring the David Sterling Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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