Prussia 1870-B thaler Dav-782
This specimen was lot 4167 in Künker sale 353 (Osnabruck, Germany, September 2021), where it sold for €160 (about US$223 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BRANDENBURG-PREUSSEN, PREUSSEN, KÖNIGREICH, Wilhelm I. 1861-1888. Wilhelm I. 1861-1888. Vereinstaler 1870, B. Sehr schön-vorzüglich. Erworben im Dezember 1972. (Germany, kingdom of Prussia, William I, 1861-88, union thaler of 1870. Very fine to extremely fine.)"
This specimen is one of a type struck at the Berlin ("A"), Hannover ("B") and Frankfurt ("C") mints 1864-71. Despite the enormous mintage it is not frequently seen in the United States though it is not rare. This bust of Wilhelm, king of Prussia, appears on ½ silbergroschen (KM 484), 1 silbergroschen (KM 485), 2½ silbergroschen (KM 486), 1/6 thaler (KM 487), 2 thalers (KM 491), ½ krone (gold, KM 493) and krone (gold, KM 492). In 1871, with the successful conclusion of the Franco-Prussian War, Wilhelm assumed the title of Emperor of Germany. The currency was reformed to use pfennig and marks and the taler was dropped, tho it remained legal tender at three mark.
Recorded mintage: 611,475, a better date.
Specification: 18.52 g, .900 fine silver, this specimen 18.49 g.
Catalog reference: KM 494, AKS 99; Dav-782; Kahnt 388; Thun 270 B; Olding 411.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns and Talers, Since 1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- [1]Künker, Fritz Rudolf, Horst-Rudiger Künker, Ulrich Künker and Andreas Kaiser, Künker Auktion 353: Die Sammlung Axel Tesmer, Teil 2: Prägungen der Könige von Preussen von der Kroning 1701 bis zum Ende der Monarchie. Osnabrück: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co., AG, 2021.
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