Saxony 1822-IGS thaler Dav-859
The first specimen was lot 985 in Jean Elsen sale 111 (Brussels, December 2011), where it sold for 90 euro (about US$138 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ALLEMAGNE, SAXE, Royaume, Friedrich August Ier (1806-1827), AR Taler, 1822 IGS, Très Beau à Superbe. (Germany, kingdom of Saxony, Frederick Augustus I (1806-27), silver thaler of 1822, very fine to extremely fine)"
The second specimen was lot 31177 in Heritage sale 3105 (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $2,880. The catalog description[2] noted, "German States: Saxony. Friedrich August I "Mining" Taler 1822-IGS MS65 Prooflike NGC, Dresden mint. Exceedingly medallic in appearance and wholly worthy of its finest-certified Gem Prooflike designation by way of steely, reflective expanses and fully frosted, raised motifs. Upon illumination the bust and reverse arms project towards the viewer in surprising relief, a feature largely lacking on the general population of this type. Ex. D. Moore Collection (Heritage Auction #3051, January 2017, Lot 32164). From the Cape Coral Collection, Part II." We have included the Davenport number in the title of this page as there are two different Saxon thalers dated 1822. This one is the convention thaler. The mining thaler for 1822 is quite scarce. In 1871, with the successful conclusion of the Franco-Prussian War, the currency was reformed to use pfennig and marks and the taler was dropped, tho it remained legal tender at three mark.
Recorded mintage: unknown but common.
Specification: 28.06 g, 0.833 fine silver.
Catalog reference: Dav-859; A.K.S., 24; Thun, 300, KM 1091.
- 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]Elsen, Philippe, Vente Publique 111, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses fils, S.A., 2011.
- [2]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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