1871 Prussian "Victory Over France" thaler

Dentuck

Does anyone have any interesting stories or information on the 1871 Sieges Thaler?

JimK

Hi Dentuck,
The 1871 Sieges Thaler (or Victory Thaler) commemorates the end of hostilities in the Franco-Prussian War. This war had far reaching effects as it pretty much united all the German States which also signified the beginning of the Kaiserreich or Empire Germany. As far as France goes, Napoleon III was deposed and it marked the beginning of the French Third Republic.
Text from free dictionary < this article pretty much sums it up.
One could also say it was also a partial prelude to the First World War as France lost Alsace and much of the Lorraine areas were ceded to Germany...
As far as the Thaler goes, Wilhelm I bust on the obverse and a crowned Germania sitting on her throne holding a downturned sword in her right hand and leaning on her shield with her left arm pretty much defines the end of hostilities.
Jim

3Mark

It is the hardest of 1871 Victory talers ( Bavaria, Bremen, Saxony and Wurttemburg are the other four) to find in gem unc. I have owned more than 20 and even though I had 2 to slab 65, I don't think I have ever seen a gem in hand. I know where there is a gem proof, but it is raw. I have a number of German dealers looking for one, but they haven't found or seen one either. Greg Margulies has a nice set of the Victory talers (I think it is listed on the NGC site). Let me know if you have one in gem I'm a strong buyer.

3Mark

JCMhouston

They are lovely coins, Saxony is the only one I need for my set now, although my Prussian is only a 62 it's still a lovely coin. The Prussian was the coin that got me started on German States coins, I absolutely love the reverse design.