Teutonic Order 1780 1/4 thaler
This specimen was lot 747 in Künker sale 293 (Osnabrück, Germany, July 2017), where it sold for €1,000 (about US$1,348 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"DEUTSCHER ORDEN, DEUTSCHER ORDEN IN MERGENTHEIM Carl Alexander von Lothringen, 1761-1780. 1/4 Konv.-Taler 1780, Wien, auf seinen Tod. R Prachtexemplar. Herrliche Patina, fast Stempelglanz. (Teutonic Order in Mergentheim, Charles Alexander of Lorraine, 1761-80, quarter convention thaler of 1780, Vienna mint, on the death of the grandmaster. Scarce, proof example, handsome patina, about uncirculated.)"
In the late eighteenth century, the Teutonic Order was in advanced decay, the Order's holdings being reduced to a few abbeys in Germany. Accordingly, the coinage is scanty and rare. This is one of three quarter thalers issued in the eighteenth century. It was accompanied by a ten kreuzer (KM 153).
Recorded mintage: 400.
Specification: 7.015 g, 0.833 fine silver.
Catalog reference: Prokisch 253, KM 154.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Künker Münzauktionen und Goldhandel, Katalog 293: Münzen aus Mittelalter und Neuzeit u. a. die westfälischen Privatsammlungen Werner Bröker und Bernd Terletzki, Osnabrück: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co., AG, 2017.
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