Big colonial silver : 1779 Prussian Thaler REDUCED!
1779 - A (Berlin) Thaler
KM332.1
.750 fine, 22.2720g
The American War for Independence was still underway--Washington had already defeated the Hessians the day after Christmas in Trenton in 1777, but it would be two years after this piece was minted that he and Rochambeau would defeat Cornwallis (and still more Hessians) at Yorktown. All told, more than 30,000 German troops--roughly 1/4th of Britain's strength--would fight against the colonies in the war for our independence.
Interestingly, Frederich II (The Great) was the first world leader to recognize the United States of America when he signed the Treaty of Amity and Commerce, negotiated by Thomas Jefferson and signed by Frederich II and George Washington in 1785.
On Money of the Early Americans, the Red Book says "Nearly all foreign coins were accepted for purchases. The most popular were French Luis, English guineas, German thalers, Dutch ducats, and various Spanish coins." --2016 spiral bound, page 11.
This piece predates the Constellatio, Immune Columbia, Massachusetts cents, Connecticut and New Jersey coppers, the Brasher doubloon, and the Fuigo coppers by several years. And of course, "Thaler" is the word from which "Dollar" is derived.
It's a big, bold, impressive piece. I wouldn't hesitate to call it VF. Some mint luster remains. Clean fields obverse and reverse with two small planchet flakes behind Frederick the Great's head (which are not uncommon for these). As a type coin it's got phenomenal presence and is so much more interesting than an 8 reale.
This is a better date, 5th year in this 12-year series. Mintage 398,661.
Asking $207 shipped:
--Severian the Lame
Comments
Tuesday bump. This is a very cool piece!
--Severian the Lame
One and only bump for price reduction, then it's gone...
$199 shipped!
--Severian the Lame