Kronenthalers

I consented in selling the coin shown in the opening post to another aficionado of Kronenthalers.

Eventually another one showed up on e-Bay. With a starting price of €40, the coin wasn't noticed too often. I was lucky to acquire it for the opening price.

Hereby two pictures taken at sunset. The reflections on the paper underneath are caused by the edge inscription.

Another acquisition: a 1788 A half Kronenthaler, featuring emperor Joseph II on the obverse (minted in Vienna). The early Kronenthalers minted in Antwerp and Brussels under Maria Theresia did not feature the empress, but had the Habsburg coat of arms on the obverse.





While originally designed for use in the Austrian Netherlands, the Kronenthaler had found wide acceptance also in the bordering German States. Under Joseph II, the Austrian empire started minting the Kronenthaler throughout the minting workshops elsewhere and using the currency in all regions.

Gwyde, I love your complete and brilliant description about the coin. Henry

Some observations in this perspective:
- For an 18th century coin, the Krause valuations for Kronenthaler are 'on the low side'. Most German State and Austrian Thaler tend to be more expensive. Mintage numbers are only one side of the medal.

- Another question is how many coins have survived till today? Thaler currency ceased to be legal tender in the mid 19th century. The Kronenthaler is slightly overweight and has a higher fineness (0.873) as compared to the Austrian Konventionsthaler (0.833). Hence, Gresham's law favors hoarding these Kronenthaler and rather spend others (or not handing them in when recalled).

- Under Joseph II, Austria started minting Kronenthaler throughout the empire. Austrians were upset about the 'strength of the currency'. Suddenly the new Kronenthaler was worth more Kreuzer than the 120 for the old Thaler. At least for a decade, the currency was more widespread than it originally was designed to.

- After 1800 the empire lost its western territories: the southern Netherlands in 1796 and Lombardia (Italy) in 1801. Emperor Franz II stopped minting the currency and reverted to the old Thaler (Konventionsthaler) with its lower weight and fineness.

A higher 'survival rate' and on average better grades contribute to the lower pricing in Krause.

That should be offset by the extent of the geographical spread of the coins, which really is worldwide. Living in Europe, I would never consider buying a Kronenthaler in the US, where they are more thinly spread and are likely to get bid up much higher. Buying from an Austrian seller provides a better chance of getting a bargain. Austria also has lower postal fees than have many other European countries.

I now total 8 Kronenthaler (only), including at least one for each of the emperors. Adding three halves and one quarter Kronenthaler, I feel that collection is rather complete. I abandon the idea of getting one of every minting workshop and/or mintage year.

I am in Rome at the moment.I only have my kindle for internet access. I believe there is some confusion here. From the early 1740s a thaler=2 Guilden=120 Kreutzer. Only the silver content changed not that base relationship. I am back in Vienna next Tuesday I can confirm then...May be Chrisld in the meantime can clarify.
I suspect that the moment thaler meet a specific need in the Austrian Netherlands. It's Silver content was not that high compared to other crown sized coins.

I actually got one of these some time ago also. Since I am collecting world crown's. (I love world coins, specifically European and colonials.)
Anyways, I am new here, so hello all.

Hello and thanksfor the welcome. I need to get a new battery charger for my camera. Just picked up my 4th 8 Reale coin yesterday. I love these, and all the nonsense surrounding them is really fun. I especially like reading Swamperbob's posts. I really need to get all of them authenticated. I also have been eyeing Kronenthalers on the side, as well as Bavaria Thaler's.