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| Canada Dollar, 1960 |
CANADA - 1858 TO 1968
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S$1 1960
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NGC PL 66 CAMEO
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This lovely gem is the only silver coin with the "dollar" denomination from my birth-year. Very few silver legal tender coins for circulation were still being issued in 1960. This Canadian silver dollar is 36 mm, 23.33 g and 80% silver.
Known as the 'Voyageur Dollar', this design was issued from 1935 to 1986 and features the portrait of a 27 year old Queen Elizabeth on the obverse by Mary Gillick. The reverse was designed by Emanuel Hahn and depicts a voyageur -- a French Canadian fur trader -- with native guide transporting goods via canoe. One of the bundles shows the initials HB for the Hudson Bay Company, an English chartered company that gained control of the fur trade throughout much of North America.
Slabbed purchase from a Heritage Weekly World and Ancient Coin auction in May of 2015.
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| South Africa 5 Shillings, 1960 |
SOUTH AFRICA
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5S 1960 S.africa UNION ANNIVERSARY
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NGC PF 66
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Another silver dollar sized coin from 1960 is the 5 shillings of South Africa -- at 38.6 mm, 28.28 g and 50% silver, it certainly qualifies as silver and dollar sized. The 5 shilling coin was minted from 1947 to 1960, originally 80% silver then 50% starting in 1951.
The 1960 issue features a special commemorative design marking the end of the Union of South Africa. The obverse shows the Union of South Africa arms; the figure of Hope representing the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope, Wildebeests for the Colony of Natal, the orange tree for the Orange Free State Republic and the wagon for the Transvaal; George Edward Kruger Gray design. The reverse shows the Union Buildings, seat of government in Pretoria with gardens in foreground; Hilda Mason design. In 1961 the country became the Republic of South Africa and adopted a decimalized currency based on the Rand.
Slabbed purchase from a Heritage Weekly World and Ancient Coin auction in April of 2015.
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| Mexico 10 Pesos, 1960 |
MEXICO - 1905 TO DATE
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PESO 1960Mo
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NGC MS 65
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This 1960 silver 10 Pesos coin commemorates both the 150th anniversary of the start of the War of Independence with the date of 1810 and the bust of Miguel Hidalgo and the 50th anniversary of the start of the Mexican Revolution.with the date of 1910 and the bust of Francisco Madero.
At 40mm, 28.89g and 90% silver it's an example of a silver dollar sized coin minted for collectors and for its bullion value.
Raw purchase from October of 2015.
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| United States So-Called Dollar, 1960 |
United States
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SC$1 1960 CO HK-584 MUMEY DOLLAR PONY EXPRESS CENTENNIAL
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NGC MS 63
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By stretching my set parameters to exonumia, I can include an example of a So-Called Dollar, dollar-sized medals struck to commemorate American themes. 1960 was the centenary of the Pony Express -- that brief experiment in hand delivered express mail -- and is the theme of this example. Congress authorized a Pony Express medal in bronze and silver, however at 33mm it does not meet my criteria as silver dollar sized. The example I chose for my set is one of the privately minted Pony Express medals. 500 of these were issued by Dr. Nolie Mumey of Denver; at 37mm and sterling silver, it nicely compliments the other coins in my set.
Although the Pony Express only operated for 19 months it established the fastest method of mail delivery between the East and West at the time -- 10 days from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California. The Westward extension of the telegraph and the advent of the Civil War ended the service in 1861.
Slabbed eBay purchase in January of 2016.
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| United States Dollar, 1860 |
United States
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$1 1860
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PCGS AU Details
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If we focus on the year and not the century, a Seated Liberty Dollar from 1860 can join the set. The 1840-1865 design was 38.1 mm, 26.73 g, 90 % silver and had no motto.
The dollars of this period were mostly used for foreign trade where they were melted down for their silver content. 1860 was a pivotal year in US politics with Abraham Lincoln winning the election on a Republican platform that supported banning slavery in all the U.S. territories. Seven states seceded before his inauguration in 1861 -- the Civil War started a few months later in April.
Raw eBay purchase in May of 2014. I suspected it might be a details grade coin and bid accordingly, however I'm very pleased with the quality of the strike and eye appeal.
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| Mexico 8 Reales, 1860 |
MEXICO - 1823-1909
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8R 1860DO CP
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NGC MS 62
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The Mexican 8 reales was the dominant trade dollar of the early19th century, especially with the important China market. It made up the bulk of circulating silver dollars in the US until the Coinage Act of 1857 canceled its status as legal tender. These are 38.9 mm, 27.07 g and 90.3% silver and were produced in vast quantities despite periods of instability such as the civil war that was being fought during this example's year of issue. The obverse design depicts the coat of arms of the Mexican Republic, an eagle, gripping a snake and perched on a cactus on a rock in a lake is based on the legend of the founding of Tenochtitlan. The common nickname 'Cap and Rays' comes from the reverse design with its Phrygian cap, a symbol of freedom and the pursuit of liberty, over a background of rays of light. My example is from the Durango mint which operated from 1824 to 1895.
Slabbed purchase from the February 2015 Heritage Selections from the Law Collection of Mexican Coins Auction,
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| Spain 20 Reales, 1860 |
SPAIN 1848 TO DATE
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S20R 1860 MADRID
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NGC AU 58
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In 1860 the silver crown of Spain had the denomination of 20 reales and with dimensions of 38mm, 26.291g (although mine is 25.88g) and 90% silver, it maintained the popular characteristics of the 8 reales from the previous century. The obverse shows the portrait of Queen Isabel II, eldest daughter of Ferdinand VII, who was proclaimed sovereign at the age of three upon her father's death in 1833. Her reign began in civil war instigated by her Uncle Carlos and ended with the revolution of 1868.
This is the more common variety, KM 609.2, with a mintage of 941,000 in Madrid.
I had the opportunity to photograph this coin in its raw state and was pleased to capture the colorful iridescence of the obverse.
From the Aureo & Calicó subastas in December of 2015.
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| Sardinia 5 Lire, 1860 |
ITALY - NAPOLEONIC
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5L 1860EAGLE B SARDINIA
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1860 Kingdom of Sardinia 5 Lire, minted in Turin. At the nominal specification of 25 g, 90% silver and 37 mm diameter, this coin was one of the few remaining silver dollar sized crowns in Europe. Unfortunately, it's mintage of only 5,044 made it quiet difficult to acquire. Mint operations or the availability of silver were likely disrupted by the drive for Italian reunification that was led by the King of Sardinia, Vittorio Emanuele II, in this year. By the end of 1860, decisive victories against the papal army and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies would help elevate Vittorio Emanuele II to the position of King of Italy in 1861, the first king of a united Italy since the 6th century.
Raw coin from a cbg.fr auction in July of 2020
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| Frankfurt-am-main Zwei Thaler, 1860 |
GERMANY - STATES - 2
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2T 1860 FRANKFURT
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NGC UNC Details
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By 1860, inflationary pressure caused the thalers of the German states to shrink in size to 33mm and 18.52g and no longer meet my criteria as silver dollar size. However, a few states minted the zwei thaler, also known as the dopplethaler -- 40mm, 37.04g and 90% silver. This example is from the city of Frankfurt-am-Main.
The obverse portrays, Francfordia, the personification of Frankfurt as a female mythological figure in the same fashion as Britannia and Lady Liberty.
Raw purchase from WAG Online in October of 2016.
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| Spanish Empire 8 Reales, 1760 |
MEXICO - TO 1823
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8R 1760MO MM CHARLES III
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NGC AU 55
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Spanish Empire, Viceroyalty of New Spain, Mexico City mint. Charles III was the fifth son of Philip V, assuming the throne on the death of his half-brother Ferdinand VI. His political and economic reforms slowed the decay of the Spanish Empire for a period, encouraging colonial commerce which stimulated the production of silver mining and minting. This 8 reales is from the first year of Charles III coinage. Coins of this type are often called 'Columnarios', 'Dos Mundos' or 'Pillar Dollars' from the reverse design depicting the Pillars of Hercules, wrapped with the national motto of Spain 'PLUS ULTRA' (further beyond), framing two globes, representing Spain's dominion over the old and new worlds. At 39 mm, 27.07 g and 91.7% silver, they set a standard that many other countries adopted or were forced to imitate if they wished to trade with China.
Raw coin from Cayón Subastas, Madrid, February 2012
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| Dutch Republic Ducaton, 1760 |
NETHERLANDS 1601-1816
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1DUC 1760 Netherland W.FRIESLAND DAV-1834
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NGC AU 58
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The Dutch Republic minted several crown sized silver coins with the ducaton having the higher value of 60 stuivers. Produced from 1659 to 1798, the ducaton got the nickname of 'Silver Rider' from its obverse design of a mounted knight. This example is from the province of West Friesland, its coat of arms is shown in the foreground. The rooster mintmark indicates the city of Hoorn. The reverse shows the coat of arms of the republic, with the lion holding a sheaf of arrows, symbolizing the unity of the provinces, and brandishing a sword in defense of their liberty. These are large coins -- 43-44 mm, 32.78 g and 91.4% silver.
Slabbed purchase from the Heritage Signature auction in September of 2014.
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| Bavaria Thaler, 1760 |
GERMANY - TALERS
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TALER 1760 BAVARIA DAV-1953
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NGC MS 63
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Several German States minted thalers in 1760, some being quite scarce for today's collectors. This one from Bavaria is perhaps the most common. At 40-42 mm and 28.06 g this 83.3% silver coin adheres to the Holy Roman Empire standard of 23.39 g of silver, one-tenth of a Cologne silver mark, a standard known as the "conventionsthaler".
The obverse features the bust of Maximilian III Josef, Duke of Bavaria, considered to be one of the more enlightened rulers of the time. He founded Munich's first academic institution, the Bavarian Academy of Sciences in 1759. The reverse depicts the Madonna and child floating in clouds. This is my only, overtly religion themed coin in this set as I am not a fan of such imagery on coins, siding with those that believe the spiritual should be separated from earthly pursuits like commerce.
Slabbed purchase from the Heritage Long Beach auction in September of 2018.
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| Austria Maria Theresa Thaler, 1760 |
AUSTRIA - EMPIRE PART 1
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TALER 1760 HALL DAV-1121 M.THERESA
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NGC AU 58
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No collection of world crowns would be complete without an example of the Maria Theresa thaler. Along with the 8 reales and the various crowns of the Dutch Republic, it was one of the most important silver trade coins of the 18th century -- it was so popular in the Middle East and North Africa that reproductions, all frozen at the date of Maria Theresa's death in 1780, continued to be issued well into the 20th Century.
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| Ragusa Thaler, 1760 |
RAGUSA
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TALER 1760 DAV-1639
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NGC AU 55
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The Republic of Ragusa was an independent coastal nation that existed from the 14th century to the 18th century in what is now Southern Croatia and its principal city is now known as Dubrovnik. It was governed by an elected official called the Rector with a fairly short term. Unfortunately, the names of the Rectors that goes with the portraits on these coins may be lost to history.
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| France Ecu, 1760 |
FRANCE - PART 3
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ECU 1760H DAV-1331
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PCGS XF 45
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Kingdom of France, écu au bandeau, La Rochelle mint. This type of silver dollar sized coin is 41mm, 29.488g and 91.7% silver.
Louis XIV outlived his son and grandson, so it was his great-grandson that became Louis XV. During the time when this coin was minted, France was embroiled in the wide ranging conflict known as the Seven Years' War, but better known to Americans as the French and Indian War, where the result shifted possession of large portions of French territories in North America to Great Britain and Spain.
Raw purchase from an eBay seller in Quebec in October of 2015.
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| France Ecu, 1660 |
FRANCE - PART 2
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ECU 1660(ST.PAL) DAV-3800
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NGC AU Details
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Very few French mints produced écu d'argent in 1660. This example is one of the last years to use the child bust of Louis XIV and is notable for its mint, Saint-Palais in Navarre, established in 1351.
Raw purchase from CGB of Paris in September of 2016.
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| Bisanz Thaler, 1660 |
GERMANY - TALERS
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TALER 1660 BESANCON DAV-5070
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NGC XF 45
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The city of Bisanz (modern day Besançon, France) was a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire for many centuries. Situated near the French, German and Swiss border, Bisanz was a strategic location and was controlled at various times by the HRE, Spain and France. In 1660 it was controlled by the Spanish Empire. It was granted the right to mint coins in 1526 while Charles V of Spain was the Emperor.
Curiously, all coins of Bisanz feature the legend for Charles V up to the end of minting in 1673. So this thaler shows the crowned and armored Charles V, bearing an orb and scepter on the obverse. The reverse shows the haloed, two-headed eagle of the Holy Roman Emperor with an inescutcheon showing the coat of arms of Bisanz. This coin has typical thaler measurements of 41.5 mm, 27.87 g and 87.5% silver.
Slabbed purchase from Stuart Reubenfeld in May of 2015.
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| Spain 8 Reales, 1660 |
SPAIN
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8R 1660 BR SEGOVIA-VERTICAL AQUEDUCT
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NGC AU 58
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The city of Segovia is known for its impressive Roman aqueduct, which features in its coat of arms and its mintmark. Segovia's second mint, known as the "Royal Mint", was different from all other Spanish mints because it was owned by the Royal family and it was the only fully mechanized mint from its founding in 1585 to the introduction of the screw press in the 1700s. The Royal Mint operated roller presses powered by a waterwheel. The presses were a gift to Philip II from his cousin, Ferdinand, the Archduke of Tyrol, and were constructed for him in Hall.
Several 8 reales varieties exist for 1660; this is the more common one featuring the two-tiered vertical aqueduct mintmark and without the additional florets near the denomination. These are 43mm, 27.47g and 93% silver.
From the September 2016 Heritage Long Beach auction.
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| Braunschweig Lüneburg Celle Thaler, 1660 |
GERMANY - TALERS
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TALER 1660 LW BRUNSWICK-LUNEBURG-CELLE DAV-6521
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NGC XF 45
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The leaping stallion of Saxony is one of my favorite coin motifs. Here is an example from the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg which, at the time, also included the Principality of Celle.
Raw purchase from the October 2016 Gorny und Mosch auction in Munich.
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| Münster seige thaler, 1660 |
GERMANY - TALERS
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TALER 1660 MUNSTER SIEGE COINAGE - KLIPPE
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NGC MS 62
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Unlike most siege currency issued during wartime, this one was issued during the insurrection by the city of Münster against its ruler, Bishop Christoph Bernhard von Galen. The siege lasted from July 1660 to March 1661 when the city was forced to give up its quest for greater autonomy and surrendered.
This coin has a thaler weight of approximately 28g and has the typical klippe square shape, 34mm x 34mm. The legend MONAST : WESTPH : OBSESSVM is for Münster Westphalia Beseiged.
Slabbed purchase from CNG 108 in May of 2018. ex Jonathan K. Kern Collection of Siege Coinage
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| Denmark Krone, 1660 |
DENMARK 1601-1874
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KRONE 1660 DAV-3574
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NGC VF Details
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Kingdom of Denmark krone of 4 marck. The term "crown" is often used to describe the principle silver coin of many different countries, typically having a weight close to 27g or more and a diameter of 38mm or more. Krone is, of course, the Danish translation for crown and this coin has a nice size of 41mm but is only 22.75g due to the lower silver content of 0.671. The obverse features the monogram of Frederik III, known for disbanding the elective monarchy in 1660 and instituting an absolute monarchy that lasted until 1848. The reverse shows the three lions with hearts of the Danish coat of arms.
Raw coin from the Stephen Album auction in September 2018.
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| Hungary Thaler, 1660 |
HUNGARY 1601-1799
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TALER 1660KB DAV-3254
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NGC AU 55
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This nicely toned thaler was issued from the Kremnica Mint, in modern day Slovakia, established by the Kingdom of Hungary in 1328.
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| Bohemia Thaler, 1560 |
Bohemia & Moravia
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TALER 1560 AUSTRIA JOACHISTRAL DAV-8047
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NGC VF 35
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One of my oldest coins is a Joachimsthaler. These earliest thalers were first minted in 1518 near St. Joachim's Valley, Bohemia, in what is now the Czech Republic. The moniker "thaler" comes from the word "thal" that meant valley in German. Its consistent size, weight and fineness of silver content was a boon to trade and set the standard for silver coins for 400 years.
My example was minted in 1560 during the reign of Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor, Archduke of Austria, King of Hungary and Croatia and King of Bohemia. His crowned and armored image, bearing a scepter is depicted on the obverse. The reverse shows Ferdinand's coat of arms. These were roughly 40 mm, 28 g and 90% silver.
Slabbed purchase from Jay Bullock in May of 2015. ex Taler Universe
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| Saxony Thaler, 1560 |
GERMANY - TO 1600
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TALER 1560 HB SAXONY-ALBERTINE DAV-9795
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NGC VF 35
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I managed to find another '60 silver crown from the 16th Century, a thaler from Saxony, depicting the Elector, Augustus who reigned from 1553 -1586. In 1560 Augustus founded the Dresden Kunstkammer, one of the worlds oldest museums, from his extensive collection of armor, weapons, painting and tools. This thaler was minted in Dresden under the mintmaster Hans Biener. It has rich bronze toning and I can clearly see that the obverse has a convex surface and the reverse is concave. I suspect that a rocker press struck this one due to the coin's curve and evidence of multiple impressions.
Slabbed purchase in July of 2016 from eBay.
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| Zürich Thaler, 1560 |
SWITZERLAND - TO 1600
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TALER 1560 Switzerlnd ZURICH DAV-8778
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NGC VF 20
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This one, a well circulated example, is a scarce thaler from the Swiss canton of Zürich. The Swiss Reformation started in Zürich with the side effect that many Catholic relics were confiscated and later melted for use as coinage. In 1560, when this thaler was minted, the supply of silver was such that two mintmasters were needed and production by roller press was introduced. My example is a hammered coin with the initials of mintmaster Hans Gutenson.
Slabbed purchase from the Heritage September 2016 Long Beach Expo.
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| Mansfeld Thaler, 1560 |
GERMANY - TO 1600
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TALER 1560 MANSFELD-EISLEBEN DAV-9481
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NGC AU 53
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The counts of Mansfeld produced many varieties of this thaler with the common theme of St. George slaying the dragon. I narrowed this one down to the Vorderort Eisleben line featuring Johann Georg I, Peter Ernst I and Christoph II. The grape leaf (Weinblatt auf Deutsch) is the mintmark of Eisleben which is known for the birthplace of Martin Luther.
If you read the posts in my journal about the previous Manfeld thaler that I bought and later sold then you will know how happy I was to find this splendid example as a replacement.
From a Heritage Auction in March of 2021.
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