Maria Theresa Thaler, New One On Me
 

I've never seen nor heard of these before, but for some reason the local dealers have quite a few... I think somebody just unloaded a large hoard at several different locations.

Anyway, aparently up to maybe 800 million of these things have been minted since 1780, some even get cranked out today and they're all still stamped 1780. It seems you can narrow it down a little based on variations in other things on the coin. They've been used as currency in Austria and Africa where they were still in use during the first part of the 20th century. They contain .752oz of silver and are about the diameter of a silver eagle.

They're a really cool coin. I paid a bit of a premium on mine since I thought it was cool, but I can go back and get a bunch of them for just over spot if I feel like it. They look like a treasure coin should, they'd probably make good gifts.

Re: Maria Theresa Thaler, New One On Me
 

There were a few special issue Maria Theresas struck in gold too. Nice !

Re: Maria Theresa Thaler, New One On Me
 

I was flipping my coin in the air this morning and wow! these things make the most beautiful resonating ring I've ever heard! None of my bullion or silver dollars produce such a clear, crisp tone! They must have just the right diameter to thickness ratio.

Re: Maria Theresa Thaler, New One On Me
 

They do, don't they. A small sturdy wooden chest or barrel piled with these would be a cool thing! Your very own pirate trove and you don't even have to go to sea and risk life, limb and ship to get it. Amazing days we live in, if one thinks about it. (posted the images from the link Burl provided so people here can see them).

Ragnarok

Re: Maria Theresa Thaler, New One On Me
 

I just got one a couple weeks ago. It came with a book type enclosue which contained the coin sealed in plastic. Very beautiful indeed.

BTW, they are 833.3

Re: Maria Theresa Thaler, New One On Me
 

Anyone with a substantial hoard of silver coins should include at least one of these IMO. Just because of their special status. Thalers are to silver what ducats are to gold. And this is THE Thaler.

One thing I don't get tho. How come these are coveted by the Arabs so much when there are at least 5 christian crosses depicted on them? One on each of the crowns: Roman, Hungarian, Bohemian and Austrian, plus the double-barred (Patriarch's or Archbishop's) cross in the coat of arms of Slovakia (then included in the CoA of Hungary).

And the photo on the the 24carat/Chard website is terrible. The Empress' portrait really is not that ugly in reality.