Hildesheim 1761-S 2/3 thaler

Künker Auction 426, lot 3664

This specimen was lot 3664 in Künker Auction 426 (Osnabrück, July 2025), where it sold for €260 (about US$368 including buyers' fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"HILDESHEIM, BISTUM Sedisvakanz 1761. 2/3 Taler 1761, mit Titel von Franz I. Mit Signatur S am Armabschnitt (Stempelschneider Johann Franz Schmidt). Reste von Zaponlack, sehr schön. (bishopric of Hildesheim, sede vacante, two-thirds thaler of 1761, struck in the name of Francis I, with initial "S". Lacquer residue, very fine.)"

This issue also comes with the engraver's name SCHMIDT spelled out under the emperor's bust. It is fairly scarce. It was struck during the interregnum between the death of Clemens August of Bavaria in 1761 and the election of Frederick William of Westphalia in 1763. Clemens August was also Prince-Bishop of Regensburg 1716–1719; Elector-Archbishop of Cologne 1723–1761; Prince-Bishop of Münster 1719–1761; Prince-Bishop of Paderborn 1719–1761 and Prince-Bishop of Osnabrück 1728–1761.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specifications: 18.6 g, silver, this specimen 18,55 g.

Catalog reference: KM 100, Dav-565; Mehl 677; Zepernick 146 Anm.

Sources:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• Davenport, John S., Silver Gulden, 1559-1763, Frankfurt am Main, Numismatischer Verlag P. N. Schulten, 1982.
• ^[1]Künker, Fritz Rudolf, Horst-Rudiger Künker, Ulrich Künker and Andreas Kaiser, eLive Premium Auction 426: European and German Coins and Medals from the 16th to the 20th century, Osnabrück: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co., AG, 2025.

Links:

• 1763 half pistole
• 1764 ⅓ thaler, bust obverse
• Hildesheim 1768-IHvU thaler Dav-2345
• Coins and currency dated 1761