NEWP: 1666 Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel 4 taler

worldcoinguy

The stars aligned for me in early Aug on this new arrival. I had admired these multiple talers for years but never thought I would have the chance to put my hands on one. I'm having some fun with imaging to put some perspective on this piece.

1666-HS Brunswick Wolfenbuttel 4T (Löser)
DAV-LS84, Welter-781A, 87mm, 116.30gm
Struck to commemorate the 88th birthday of August II (The Younger)

Compared with a 1684 Italian piastra (45 mm) for scale

Compared with a modern 5 oz America the Beautiful issue (75 mm) for scale

Compared with the US bicentennial series (quarter, half, dollar)

Side view of oversized holder

Zohar

Quite a milestone which you should be proud to attain - great purchase as you don't see 4 Talers floating around every day in such original condition. Enjoy!

TwoKopeiki

Wow. Congrats!

worldcoinguy

@Zohar said:
Quite a milestone which you should be proud to attain - great purchase as you don't see 4 Talers floating around every day in such original condition. Enjoy!

>

Thanks Z! Probably too heavy to float....

The NGC census has a total of 10 of the 4 taler pieces in straight grade holders across all German States and different dates/types. Of course this should be taken with a healthy dose of reality given the fact that 4Ts cross the auction floor in Germany with some degree of regularity and many collectors despise the plastic.

ksammut

Wow! I'm amazed they had plastic big enough. That thing is ginormous (and beautiful!)

brg5658

Absolutely superb! Congrats @worldcoinguy ! The size is wild! It’s like a side plate in metal!

Boosibri

Out of curiosity, did that actually circulate?

Stella

Congratulations! Multiple Thalers are fascinating pieces. Your examples of other sized coins really makes it stand out!

Weiss

Super!

jimhopkins1919

That’s incredible! Congrats!

worldcoinguy

@Boosibri said:
Out of curiosity, did that actually circulate?

That is a great question. In general the answer is probably not, at least not in the sense of general commerce down at the local pub for a jug of beer and a few chickens. The ANA had a recent blog on these multiple talers back in June (https://money.org/ana-blog/thalers). The article describes how these pieces were sold by the Duke to property owners with the understanding that they can be recalled in times of need (in exchange for debased currency). I imagine many of these that were not recalled were passed down as keepsakes and conversation pieces.

mkman123

holy cow thats amazing.

EVillageProwler

Superb piece!!! I love how original and wholesome your coin looks. Nice acquisition. Congrats.

And, you know, if you need practice time on the ice and can’t find your puck...

Finally, at 88, I think his nickname has become more an oxymoron.

worldcoinguy

@EVillageProwler said:
Superb piece!!! I love how original and wholesome your coin looks. Nice acquisition. Congrats.

And, you know, if you need practice time on the ice and can’t find your puck...

Finally, at 88, I think his nickname has become more an oxymoron.

Thanks EVP. We are just going to use it as a drink holder in the family room until we decide what do do with it.

Funny comment on August The Younger....I suppose that fully ran its course didn't it?

asheland

Insanely cool!