1 Thaler - William
1694 year| Silver | 29.11 g | - |
| Issuer | Principality of Anhalt-Harzgerode (German States) |
|---|---|
| Prince | William Louis (1665-1709) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 1694 |
| Value | 1 Thaler |
| Currency | Thaler (1635-1709) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 29.11 g |
| Shape | Round |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#277531 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
Inscription in five lines. Three stars and fleurons above and below.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
♧ VON · NEUEN · ANHALTISCHEN · BERGWERCK
✥ NACH ✥
ALTEN
REICHS ꞊ SCHROT
UND · KORN
✥ 1694 ✥
Translation: From the new Anhalt mine. To the "Schrot und Korn" of the realm.
Comment
The Leipzig Standard of 1690 set the weight of the reichsthaler specie to 25.984 g, one ninth of a Cologne Mark of fine silver. This superseded the Standard of Zinna, according to which 101⁄2 thalers were minted from one Cologne Mark of fine silver. Prince Wilhelm expected higher profits with the new standard and reopened the mine in Harzgerode. A silver medal was minted to celebrate this occasion in 1693. This medal and the thaler of William Louis were minted in small numbers, to advertise the new mining endeavour and attract further investors and shareholders.
The inscription on the back of this thaler, Schrot und Korn, has no correspondent in English. "Schrot" signifies the gross weight of the coin, and "Korn" signifies the fine silver content. The expression suggests that the face value of the coin represents its melt value.
The "E" on the prince's shoulder on the obverse and the acorn in the lettering on the obverse and reverse are the mintmaster or engraver's marks. This may stand for Eichel or Eichler [1] or Wilhelm Erbe [2].
[1] Theodor Stenzel; 1876. Numismatische Studien: I. Zur Geschichte des Anhaltischen Münzwesens. Thieme, Leipzig, Prussia. —Page 16.
[2] Jens Heckl; 1999. Das Geldwesen Anhalts unter Berücksichtigung der Staatsschulden 1690 bis 1875. Battenberg Gietl Verlag, Regenstauf, Germany.
Interesting fact
The 1 Thaler coin from the Principality of Anhalt-Harzgerode, minted in 1694 during the reign of William, features an unusual design element - a small hole in the center of the coin. This hole was intentionally drilled into the coin to signify that it had been tested for its silver content, which was a common practice during that time period. This feature makes the coin particularly interesting to collectors and historians, as it provides a unique glimpse into the coinage practices of the time.
