AUSTRIA. Holy Roman Empire. Maria Theresia, Empress, 1740-1780. Taler 1762 (Silver, 41 mm, 25.91 g, 12 h), a contemporary plated imitation of an issue from Hall. M•THERESIA•D:G•R• - IMP•GE•HU•BO•REG• Diademed and draped bust of Maria Theresia to right. Rev. ARCHID•AUST•DUX• - BU•COM•TVR•1762•X Crowned and nimbate double eagle with crowned coat of arms on its chest. Cf. Davenport 1121 and Herinek 457 (for prototype). Nicely toned. Some scratches and flan faults, otherwise, fine.


The Maria Theresia Taler ranks among the most widely struck silver coins in history - a distinction owed largely to the famous restrikes, which continue to be produced to this day. Between 1780, the final year of the original issues, and 1930, more than 300 million Talers were minted (cf. J. Hans: Maria-Theresien-Taler, Leiden 1961. pp. 14f.). These coins flowed primarily into the Levant, South Arabia, and East Africa, where they even circulated as legal tender for many decades time.

In contrast to the well-studied post-1780 restrikes, contemporary imitations and counterfeits remain largely shrouded in mystery. Our specimen belongs to this fascinating category. In this case it is made of a copper alloy with a thick silver plating. The piece betrays itself through slight underweight and a rather crude style, most noticeably in the uneven lettering of the legends. It remains unclear whether this piece was a contemporary counterfeit made for local use or one specifically intended for export to southern markets. What is certain is that already in the 18th century, demand for Maria Theresia Talers in the regions mentioned above was immense, and coins from the Austrian mints were channeled southward - usually via Trieste (cf. J. Hans: Maria-Theresien-Taler, Leiden 1961. p. 23).

Imitations of this type were already produced under Charles VI (see Lot 2194). The exact origin of our example remains uncertain, but unofficial mints in the eastern reaches of the Holy Roman Empire - likely in Poland, Transylvania, or Moldavia - are a plausible source.