Madonna Thaler Copy

Madonna Thaler Copy

The Bavarian (and Hungarian) coins of the 17th-19th centuries made extensive use of the Madonna and Child theme. The design was dear to their Catholic populations who also held the common belief that the coins would ward off illness. A thaler however was big money in those days and most of the common folks could not afford to make a talisman of this coin. Recently at a coin show I found this copy in bronze or bronze plated brass. The piece is beautifully die struck which leads me to believe that it was struck at the mint from actual coin dies and is not a counterfeit. The edge is unfinished unlike the real coins of this type and it is holed for wear. For me it is a real pleasure to see this design unblemished by the usual heavy adjustment marks and wear.