GERMAN STATES (Nurnberg) | Scarce 1767 SR Thaler MS 64 (Near Gem) | Joseph II (1765-90) | Davenport 2498 (Pop 1/1) | Underlying Luster and Gorgeous Strike, Beautiful Cabinet Tone
Today, I wanted to share this new acquisition that I was able to get some research on—especially on the varieties—and finally got the chance after sending it to NGC for a mechanical error reholder as in the database they got the Davenport catalog wrong.
This piece is a German Thaler of Nurnberg and was struck with the name and titles of Joseph II, where the obverse has the Latin “IOSEPHVS II. D. G. ROM. IMP. SEMP. AVG” referring to the Holy Roman Emperor and the crowned double-headed imperial eagle. The reverse features the Latin “MONETA REIPVBL. NORIMBERG,” the denomination of “X. E. FEINE. M.,” and a beautiful and ornate crowned oval shield on a Rococo frame, with mintmark “SR” below.
There are apparently two similar types of the 1767 Nurnberg Thaler, where this piece is Davenport 2498. We see that the position of the mint mark, SR, is right below the frame. There is another 1767 type, Davenport 2497, that features the mintmark at the bottom, near the denticles, and has a different shield design. NGC initially misattributed my piece as Davenport 2497 when it is actually 2498–a more scarcer and elusive type. Finally, there is also a 1768 type, but that is more common, generally, per the NGC Census and PCGS Pop Report, compared to this 1767. There is also a 1776, which is the rarest.
This piece has been graded by NGC as a MS 64, a near gem piece and second highest, after a NGC MS 65 sold by MDC Monaco’s Auction 17 in October 2025. This piece features original and beautiful cabinet tone and was sourced from an old Thaler collection from Florida. Both sides retain underlying luster and even, original cabinet tone is present. Various natural colors orangish hues emanate amongst an honestly prooflike surface. The eagle is sharply struck and overall details plus denticles are crisp. One of my favorite Thalers in my small but growing collection!
Just a great way to start the year and wrap up this month of January! It went by quickly!