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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/40mm "Franz Josef Thaler" 1880's/1890's

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Expert: - 10/21/2009


Question
I am attempting to find a +/- 40mm Silver Franz Josef Thaler issued in the late 1880's or early 1890's with the "old" portrait (bald, no laurels, bare neck) of Emperor Franz Josef II of Austria. This may have been a medallic issue as it was issued in both silver and gold. My maother-in-law had one of each from her great-grandfather, but these were lost in Hurricane Katrina. I am trying to find out what the coin/medal is so that I can attempt to replace it as a Christmas surprise.
Many thanks for your time and assistance.
Rev. John W McManus
D'Iberville, MS, USA  

Answer

GS_Pr_thaler_obv
Hi John,
This is somewhat confusing information, as the very last Austrian thalers were struck in the 1860's. There were no coins at all being minted between 1870 and 1892, and the coins minted in 1892 and onward did not include thalers of any kind. Moreover, every official coin depicting Franz Josef has laurels on his head.
There is a single and very rare silver medallic issue called a Gedenk thaler, made in 1884. This is the only official piece with a bare headed Franz Josef. However, this coin is much smaller at around 30mm and did not exist in gold.
In general, the very latest thalers minted from any country stop at around 1871. An 1880's or 1890's coin simply cannot be an official thaler, since this denomination was obsolete by then.
The design you mention sounds more like an 1870's Prussia thaler or 5 mark coin. I have attached a picture of the bust, which is Wilhelm I rather than Franz Josef. This design was used for both silver and gold coins.
Otherwise you likely have a privately made medal or silver/gold bullion re-strike.
Without much more information or photographs, it would not be feasible to identify your item.
Thanks for he question and best of luck with your search! =)

Dmitry Livshits

Expertise

My specialty is world coins from the 18th to 20th centuries, primarily non-US foreign coins and related areas such as errors and exonumia (tokens, medals, etc.). I can answer questions relating to identification, grading, selling, preservation and evaluation of such items. In addition to catalog value, I can give you the practical market value and trends for specific types of coins. I will also take questions regarding counterfeits (both modern and antique) and on how to identify them. I am NOT knowledgeable in paper money/banknotes, ancient or "shipwreck" coins. Thank you.

Experience

Collector of world coins since early childhood. Access to a variety of auction records and reference material. You can also find me on Facebook.

Education/Credentials
A.S. in Psychology (2006), B.A. in Forensic Psychology (2008), M.A. in Forensic Psychology (2011).

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