CNG 112, Lot: 783. Estimate $1000. Sold for $1000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

MISCELLANEOUS. Collection of forty-eight (48) Maria Theresa talers and related pieces. Highlights include:

Missouri Numismatic Society 1963 counterstamp
Bicentennial of the Maria Theresa taler 1980 counterstamp
Counterstamp of the Hafner family, struck 1984. Walter Hafner was the author of the Lexicon of the Maria Theresien Taler, a standard reference for the restrike series
Yemen. AR Ahmadi Riyal. Dated AH 1373 (AD 1953). Overstruck on a taler
An incense burner crafted from two talers
1986 Austrian 5 ounce silver taler reproduction
Two bracelets crafted from four talers each, one with devices cut out
Pin crafted from a halved taler with devices cut out
Silver spoon crafted from a taler
Taler countermarked “Nejd” and “Hejaz” – a pair of collectable fantasy counterstamps
Taler crafted into a picture frame
Miniature gold reproductions
Taler crafted into a medal, suspended from bar inscribed with American Legion seal and “Middle East Campaign / Africa”and undoubtedly presented to an American soldier serving in Africa during World War Two
Various other restrike talers, including proofs, a few in mounts, several in cases
. Fine to UNC, several Proof. Lot includes numerous numismatic newspaper clippings related to the Maria Theresa taler, as well as the material for an exhibit. .

Ex Harry Flower Collection.

The iconic talers of Austrian archduchess Maria Theresa were extremely popular in trade with the Ottoman territories in the Levant, and after her death in 1780, the type continued to be struck with a fixed date. From the Levant, use of the coin spread to Arabia and East Africa, where demand for the trustworthy and unchanging silver piece drove increased production. Minting of the Maria Theresa taler continued throughout the 19th century at Vienna, Venice, Milan, and Rome. In 1935, as the Italians prepared to invade Ethiopia, they quickly monopolized the supply of talers for the Africa trade, leading the British to strike their own in London and Bombay. Talers were also struck in the twentieth century at Birmingham, Paris, Utrecht, and Brussels. The type is still struck at the Vienna mint today.

This collection presents an exciting opportunity to acquire a set of Maria Theresa restrike talers. Numerous varieties are included, and distinguishing these unmarked issues will surely present an exciting challenge to the collector. In addition, the coin art and jewelry in the collection serve to highlight the broad reach and popularity of the series in the Middle East and Africa.