Maria Theresa 1918 Thaler ID ?

Actually the obverse is not of Maria Theresia but is an obverse (in Imitation of the MTT)that was first used on Venitian Tallero in the 18th century; which was also produced to compete with the MTT. This 1918 strike came about when the Italians failed to get a concession (rejected by the Habsburg Monarchy in 1912 )from the Austrians to produce MTT. The aim in producing this coin was to replace the MTT. The Italians concentrating on their own holdings in east Africa failed to recognize that the MTT circulated in a huge trading network and it was the economic drivers supporting that net work that sustained the MTTs use in the region. Accordingly by only supplying the coins to Eritrea ( BTW Eritrea was not Italian Somalia but rather it had been a province of Ethiopia. Italian Somalia is Somalia today) the Italians did not change the the dynamics of the overall trade network and their attempt failed. The value of the coin is some where between US$150.00 and US$300 in that condition (it appears to be genuine). A proof example (prova) would demand in excess of US$1000. Note the Italians had tried to replace the MTT in Eritrea in the 1890s ( and failed for the same reasons) as did King Menelik of Ethiopia in the late 1890s.

There was a trend for a "World Currency" in 1918 as there is now... The link provided by aiglet7 was a big help, as were the other comments to gain a different prespective of this coin and era. Thank You.

There was considerable competition before Maria Theresas death. however the Venetian Tallero was produced from 1780-1797: Krause C 137 World coins 1701 -1800.

Actually the MTT was following the example of the first dollar (Hall Guildengroschen), the Jochimsthaler Guildengroschen, the Dutch Lion Thaler( its self likely a copy of the Jochimsthaler. All the coins mentioned were traded to the Levant either legally or through smuggling. In Levantine trade, around 1780 the MTT, competed with coins produced in Venice, Ragusa,Tuscany and Prussia( and of course the 8 reales). The MTT simply outlasted the competition

The Tallero is a very beautiful coin - one I too have always dreamed of owning - but I instead own a half dozen forgeries of the coin. There are many counterfeit versions.

If you see 100 Talleros - 90 will be fake and only 10 real. I am suspicious of all examples offered below $150.

From the photos it looks like a 1950's restrike but I could be wrong. The photos do not blow up sharply enough to be certain but the fine line work looks heavy and clumsy to me and the color is "dead".

The silver restrikes were made from transfer dies and one of the notable ones is missing the top of the first letter R in the name of the country on the reverse.

I would like to share my collection with you, Imasnore, you can compare yours with mine, I am confident my coin is genuine. Weight of my coin is 27.98 grams and 39.4-39.8 mm diameter. What I don't like your coin is that it does not look like silver made (of course, maybe a matter of photography), can you tell the weight of your coin?

I want to add one more point from the Italian Tallero, this coin has no collar that it shouldn't be at the right time technology could do it easily so there is no point to say this Tallero was not an imitation of MTT.

Who knows the meaning of edge letters "FERT", I am thankful if you can tell me. Henry

Here is what Wikipedia offers about FERT.

Weight 27.8 grams, 40 mm, test positive for silver. Wonghinghi and astrokiwi make some very good points on these coins. (why use silver on counterfeits -too expensive?). Date on restikes would interesting, however, this coin's providence indicates that it was purchased 40 years ago, purchaser & seller have passed. The coin is listed in an inventory as Tallero Eritrea 1918 Maria Theresa & Coat of Arms of Italy. I appreciate all the input on this subject. As my concern is counterfeits & restrikes and the ogrinial buyer & seller are not present to make inquiries, so I must question everything. I would like to Thank those in the Coin Community that provided,: Information, links and input. :)

I'll just add to what Swamperbob has said. Silver was overvalued in China( in comparison to Europe) While gold was undervalued. Silver flowed from Europe via land and sea routes while gold(but not in equivalent value ie: there was a negative trade balance in Europe) flowed in the opposite direction. It would have been worthwhile to Copy a silver coin exactly for trade with China. I recall reading that at one time the brits started producing Spanish dollars in Asia...but they didn't keep an eye on their staff, who reduced the silver content. Chinese traders quickly identified the debasement and avoided Dollars from that year.

Another interesting case of counterfeiting was in the 1870s platinum was cheaper than gold and sovereigns were faked by producing gold plated Platinum copies.