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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/Austrian-Netherlands 1780 Silver Shilling

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Expert: - 3/14/2010


Question
Dmitry, I am unsure about the denomination being a shilling, but it appears to be a 80+% silver coin about the size of a USA silver dollar. On the obverse it is inscribed "R.IMP.HU.BO.REG M.THERESIA.G" a monarchs effigy. The reverse has "ARCHID.AVST.DUX BURG.COTYR 1780.X", probably in Latin and an Austrian/Hungarian coat of arms. Also, the coin has very fancy reed around the outside edge. The coin's condition is probably between MS64 and MS65.

Please let me know the catalog value of the coin in both potential grades.

Answer

1780 Maria Theresa tha
Hi Bob,
This is one of billions of re-strikes made of the famous Maria Theresa 1780 Austrian thaler.
There were several varieties made from 1780 to 1800 that are quite valuable, but the vast majority were made in the last 50 years and are worth just slightly above silver melt value in perfect condition.
The history is that the Arabs did not trust any other European coin for trade in the Middle East during that time. So they continued making the same coin with a frozen date for a few decades. Later on, this coin was still reproduced in the Middle East because it had become so famous and well recognized. The re-strikes continued to be made up until the 1980's.
I remember the first time I came across one of these. I was really happy because I thought the coin must be worth a fortune, but then saddened to find out that was not the case.
Here is a good and free resource for these: http://www.theresia.name/en/svergleich.html
Thanks for the question! =)
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentDmitry, I was all excited about the potential value of this beautiful coin, but what often seems to be too good to be true, is just that! Thanks for your very complete explanation! Bob


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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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