Maria Theresa Thaler (No, Not A Crappy Restrike)

[gmarguli]

I recently picked up this 1772-AS Austria Maria Theresa thaler. It's KM-748 or Davenport 1124.

 

That's the sellers photo. The coin is lighter in person and has a bunch of nice light colors (reds, blues, greens, etc) gracing the rims. It's basically problem free for a 232 year old coin.

 

Practically every person who collects foreign coins is familiar with the "1780" restrike that are still being minted today. If you've got one of those, consider dumping that silver round and picking up a nice real original one. Most dates and varieties can be had cheap (catalog around $35 in VG, $125 in VF, and $185 in XF). This is one of the key dates among the Austrian Maria Thresa thalers and catalogs at $1,000 in XF.

[Bruceswar]

Sounds like you got yourself a great coin.. Congrats

[Tbirde56]

Nice!

[JamminJ]

Really a nice score with that thaler!

 

Maria Theresa was the elder daughter of Emperor Charles VI who had no sons. Without a male heir he proclaimed the Pragmatic Sanction in 1711 which allowed a female to inherit his kingdom - contrary to previously established law and tradition. Subsequently much of Charles’ foreign policy centered on bribing neighboring countries to recognize Maria Theresa’s right of inheritance. Upon Charles’ death in 1740 all of the neighboring states immediately began the War of Austrian Succession with the toughest opponent being Frederick II of Prussia (Maria’s nominal vassal). Eventually Frederick was made to content himself with the Duchy of Silsia in modern day Poland.

 

Since no female could be named as Holy Roman Emperor the throne was vacant from 1740 until 1742 when Charles VII of Bavaria was elected Emperor – the first non Hapsburg to reign since the fifteenth century. Charles VII was succeeded by Maria’s husband Francis I in 1745, who was in turn succeeded by her son Joseph II in 1765. Even though Maria was known as the Empress this was a non official title of convenience although she really wore the pants in the family due to her direct rule several of the Empire’s largest and richest provinces: Austria, Bohemia and Hungary.

 

All in all she was a strong ruler who prevented the Empire from slipping to second class status as did Spain. There’s lots more to tell about her, but I’ll save some for the when I buy my own Maria Theresa thaler.

 

-JamminJ

[Wihlborg]

Very nice coin Greg!

 

John

[GDJMSP]

Very nice Greg - one of the nicest I've seen

 

A good friend of mine would be extremely grateful if you would permit him to use your pic of this coin for his web site - when you get one.

 

This is his site - Maria Theresa Thalers

 

Please contact him if you are agreeable.

[andy007]

very cool Thaler there Greg, your world collection is growing more and more impressive.

[Hoot]

I don't know which I like more - Greg's thaler or JJ's story!!!

 

Both excellent!

 

Hoot

[trozau]

sweet!

[gmarguli]

A good friend of mine would be extremely grateful if you would permit him to use your pic of this coin for his web site - when you get one.

 

This is his site - Maria Theresa Thalers

 

He's got a nice site! I'll get him some good photos when I have a chance or he can just use the one posted if he doesn't want to wait.

[JamminJ]

I don't know which I like more - Greg's thaler or JJ's story!!!

 

Both excellent!

 

Hoot

 

Thanks for the kind comment but I, for one, prefer the thaler!

 

-JamminJ

[GDJMSP]

 

He's got a nice site! I'll get him some good photos when I have a chance or he can just use the one posted if he doesn't want to wait.

 

 

Thanks Greg He was really hoping you'd agree. I'll let him know.