Reichsthaler
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| The Reichsthaler was by imperial decree a coin of 29.23 g silver (889/1000 fineness) with a silberweight of 25.98 g. The order issued in 1566 had stated that 9 Reichsthaler were to be minted of 1 [[Mark silver of Cologne]] (of 233.856 g). | The Reichsthaler was by imperial decree a coin of 29.23 g silver (889/1000 fineness) with a silberweight of 25.98 g. The order issued in 1566 had stated that 9 Reichsthaler were to be minted of 1 [[Mark silver of Cologne]] (of 233.856 g). | ||
| - | Reichsthalers minted according to this decree were called [[Speciesthaler]], whereas as a Reichsthaler currency unit was fixed at 3/4 of the Reichsthaler species – a regulation causing infinite confusion ([http://www.pierre-marteau.com/editions/newton-1701-25/newton-1720-04-12.html Isaac Newton stated in one of his reports] that his German was probably not good enough to understand these distinctions). | + | Reichsthalers minted according to this decree were called [[Speciesthaler]], whereas as a Reichsthaler currency unit was fixed at 3/4 of the Reichsthaler species – a regulation causing infinite confusion ([http://www.pierre-marteau.com/editions/1701-25-mint-reports/report-1720-04-12.html Isaac Newton stated in one of his reports] that his German was probably not good enough to understand these distinctions). |
| The Reichsthaler currency unit (of 3/4 of the Reichsthaler minted) soon made a career as a European standard useful wherever money was to be transferred via linkbills of exchange. Stockholm, Copenhagen, Antwerp and Amsterdam adopted the unit - rijksdaalders and rigsdalers and Reichsthaler had the same value. | The Reichsthaler currency unit (of 3/4 of the Reichsthaler minted) soon made a career as a European standard useful wherever money was to be transferred via linkbills of exchange. Stockholm, Copenhagen, Antwerp and Amsterdam adopted the unit - rijksdaalders and rigsdalers and Reichsthaler had the same value. | ||
| The confusion is partly due to the fact that German sources can call a "Species Thaler" or "gemünzter Thaler" simply a "Reichsthaler" as soon as the context makes it clear that a coin is mentioned. On the other hand the artificial currency unit (of 3/4 of the Reichsthaler minted) found its own minted equivalents with the Flemish and Dutch [[Patagons]] – often called rijksdaalder – and the French [[Ècu]] often referred to as the French Thaler. | The confusion is partly due to the fact that German sources can call a "Species Thaler" or "gemünzter Thaler" simply a "Reichsthaler" as soon as the context makes it clear that a coin is mentioned. On the other hand the artificial currency unit (of 3/4 of the Reichsthaler minted) found its own minted equivalents with the Flemish and Dutch [[Patagons]] – often called rijksdaalder – and the French [[Ècu]] often referred to as the French Thaler. | ||
Revision as of 17:28, 7 March 2006
Reichsthaler / Rijksdaalder / Rigsdalder / Riksdaler / Rixdollar
The Reichsthaler was by imperial decree a coin of 29.23 g silver (889/1000 fineness) with a silberweight of 25.98 g. The order issued in 1566 had stated that 9 Reichsthaler were to be minted of 1 Mark silver of Cologne (of 233.856 g).
Reichsthalers minted according to this decree were called Speciesthaler, whereas as a Reichsthaler currency unit was fixed at 3/4 of the Reichsthaler species – a regulation causing infinite confusion (Isaac Newton stated in one of his reports that his German was probably not good enough to understand these distinctions).
The Reichsthaler currency unit (of 3/4 of the Reichsthaler minted) soon made a career as a European standard useful wherever money was to be transferred via linkbills of exchange. Stockholm, Copenhagen, Antwerp and Amsterdam adopted the unit - rijksdaalders and rigsdalers and Reichsthaler had the same value.
The confusion is partly due to the fact that German sources can call a "Species Thaler" or "gemünzter Thaler" simply a "Reichsthaler" as soon as the context makes it clear that a coin is mentioned. On the other hand the artificial currency unit (of 3/4 of the Reichsthaler minted) found its own minted equivalents with the Flemish and Dutch Patagons – often called rijksdaalder – and the French Ècu often referred to as the French Thaler.
