This is in relation to a specific coin and a coin that screams at me that it is in the wrong order in the catalogue. In 2016 Walter Hafner released a new catalogue ion the Maria Theresa Thaler. I was disappointed with it, he ignored mint records and produced it the way he thought people would accept it not on the actual facts. His words to me in an email "this is the way people accept it and it's too much work to change it( in German and I kept the email). In effect, he published the catalogue knowing a significant part of it was no longer supported by mint records. I was quite disillusioned. Now doing some work for a presentation I looked at a specific variety H 8a ( in his new catalogue). The designation is exactly the same as his old catalogue. The coin is listed as being struck in 1782/3, therefore, it is listed as restrike The problem is the coin its self raises significant challenges to that attribution. I will have to describe the issue as I don't have photos of all the coins I am referring to( I wish I did). Have a look at the second image where I have marked the key parts of the coin. That will help you understand what the issue is.
this discussion involves 5 varieties:
H6a Original 1780 strike unpearled brooch on the obverse. On reverse centre shield with a rounded base, Spelling in Legend "AUST"
H6b Original strike known only from records. Hafner reports it as "doubtful existence". it has a pearled brooch on the obverse otherwise the same as 6a
Hafner 7a Original strike struck in October 1780 ( Maria Theresa died in November) Has a new bust of an older version of Maria Theresa ( new hub) with a pearled brooch. On the reverse, the centre shield is pointed at the base( as in the marked photo) Spelling "AUST"
Hafner 7b dates it to 1780-81 meaning its either an original or a restrike. Its the same as 7a except spelling on the obverse is "AVST"
Now the coin pictured H8a( there is no b) Hafner dates it to 1782/83 declaring it a restrike. The problems with this are It has the earlier bust( as in Hafner 6a: original strike) it has the pointed center shield(like 6b) and the spelling is AUST. Hafner points out the bust is the same as 6a
Now in getting to my point some extra important information: Maria Theresias spelling was "AUST" Her son's spelling after her death was "AVST" When a monarch died the coin-dies were defaced or destroyed. So my point looking at the coin and the catalogue and with the background information, I think the coin 8a is actually the unconfirmed H6b meaning 8a is an original. Likewise, I think the 7b variety is a Restrike dating to the period 1781-3. Ignoring whether original or restrike just looking at the coins tells me H8a best fits between H6a and H7a as this represents the most likely die sequence. 7b inturn should be changed to 8a in the catalogue Final comment... The discussion only applies to the issues from teh Vienna mint( not Guenzburg) the mint signature on the picture was very faintly struck.
This discusion really doesn't effect value. 8a is very rare and when found usually commands prices above €1200.00
Posted 05/11/2019 03:01 am
