Schleswig-Holstein 1789-MF 60 schilling Dav-1311
This specimen was lot 76423 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2025), where it sold for $145. The catalog description[1] noted, "DENMARK. Schleswig-Holstein. 60 Shilling (Speciedaler), 1789-MF. Altona Mint. Christian VII. VERY FINE." This thaler was struck 1787-96, 1799-1804, 1807-08 by the king of Denmark in his capacity as duke of Schleswig-Holstein. A very similar design was used for an 1801 speciedaler in Denmark (KM 651) but is much rarer. Post-1800 issues of this type are catalogued as Dav-70. The initials MF stood for Michael Flor, mintmaster at Altona 1787-1818. Christian VII was insane for most of his reign and the government was in the hands of regents, including his stepmother and later his son. The court was the scene of violent power struggles over who would have access to the incapable king. Schleswig was Danish-speaking while Holstein was German; the conflicts arising therefrom led to the whole region being conquered and annexed by Prussia in the 1860's.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 28.89 g, 0.875 fine silver, 39 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: Dav-1311; KM-138.4.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Siegs Møntcatalog 2016: Danmark med Omrader, 48 ed., Frederikssund, Siegs Forlag ApS, 2015.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, November 2025 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2025.
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