Re-Strike: Knowing The Definition.

this may seem overly "freudian fixated" but I am seeing often considerable confusion over the term re-strike. In fact when I look at my own collecting focus on Maria Theresa thalers I actually find the 1780 MAria Theresa thaler does not actually fit the definition of a re-strike.

So first the generally accepted definition of a restrike:

"Re-strike: A later impression from an original die"

Sourse: Dictionary of Numismatic Names by Albert R. Frey


There are a number of restrikes such as 1925 Sovereign. the 1765 Guenzburg Maria Theresa thaler( the 1766 & 1767 striking were made with the 1765 dated dies). However the definition is not strictly applied. the New Zealand Waitangi crown was struck( and dated) in 1935, but it was necessary to strike more in 1936 but every Watangi crown is regarded as original.


With the 1780 dated maria Theresa Thaler every one , my self included, regards it is a re-strike. But the so called re-strikes were never produced using the original dies and it is very easy to sort original from re-strike when you know how.

Now Frey defines another type of coin:

"Posthumous Coins are such as were struck after the death of the individual whose name they bear"


The MTT actually matches better the definition of a Posthumous strike....and when one looks at the orders directing the production of the MTT after Maria Theresa's death...posthumous is the term that fits most.


Back to restrike: a restrike is not:

• A fake


• A counterfeit


• Illegal

However collectors don't like restrikes as they muddy the waters and as in the case of the 1925 sovereign increase the mintage numbers destroying the collector value of the coin