GERMANY. Kaiserreich. Preußen. Wilhelm II, 1888-1918. Medal 1904 (Silver, 34 mm, 15.13 g, 12 h), on the Farewell of the Prussian Thaler. Five Taler obverses depicting Prussian Kings (Friedrich II, Friedrich Wilhelm II, Friedrich Wilhelm III, Friedrich Wilhelm IV and Wilhelm I) surrounded by four Prussian eagles. Rev. DEM ALTEN GUTEN THALER ZU EHREN •✱• around DES / STAATES VERNUNFT / BEDROHT DEINE ZUNFT / DIR IN VOLKES GEMÜT / DIE ANHÄNGLICHKEIT / BLÜHT. / 1904 in seven lines. Marienburg 7211. Nicely toned. Tiny marks and deposits on the obverse, otherwise, extremely fine.


The introduction of the German imperial currency in 1871 did not immediately bring the long history of the Taler to an end. For decades, the old coin continued to circulate alongside the new mark denomination. By 1904, however, debates in the Reichstag over fiscal and monetary policy increasingly portrayed the Taler as an impediment to an efficient and modern system of payments. On October 1, 1907, legislation finally took effect removing all old Talers from circulation.

Yet this denomination still held a special place in the public imagination, as this medal so clearly reflects. In response to this lingering attachment, the German Empire introduced the 3 Mark piece in 1908. Similar in size and overall appearance to the familiar Taler, the new coin was intended as its natural successor.