Hannover 1777-IWS thaler Dav-2107
This specimen was lot 1234 in Sincona sale 22 (Zurich, May 2015), where it sold for 2,000 CHF (about US$2,512 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"Braunschweig-Lüneburg-Calenberg-Hannover, Herzogtum, Georg III. 1760-1820 Taler 1777. Clausthal. Fast vorzüglich. (Germany, duchy of Brunswick-Luneburg-Calenberg-Hannover, George III (1760-1820), thaler of 1777, Clausthal mint, choice extremely fine.)"
On the death of George II in 1760, the traditional "wild man" and "leaping stallion" thalers were retired in favor of a conventional bust obverse/arms reverse design. The last "St. Andrew" thaler (Dav-2104) was issued in 1773. Thalers of George III are much scarcer than those of prior reigns. This type of 1777-78 is rare. Hannover, linked to the British crown 1714-1837, embroiled England in several continental conflicts the British establishment would rather have avoided.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 29.23 g.
Catalog reference: Dav-2107; KM-372, Welter 2801.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, Ruedi Kunzmann and Arne Kirsch, Collection Fumatori, Auction 22, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2015.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Davenport, John S., German Talers, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1965.
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