The 250-year-old World Currency They Still Make Today

Why would a coin still be minted today with a design - including the date - from 1780? The answer involves a Bohemian count, an Austrian empress, World War Two in Africa, three radioactive elements, and much more. Explore the long and storied history of this most curious coin, which circulated for more than two centuries in over 30 countries, and connected world trade in the era before modern banking. This is the story of the Maria Theresa Thaler. Let's Explore!
Some sources:
Edo, Michael E. “Currency Arrangements and Banking Legislation in the Arabian Peninsula" Staff Papers (International Monetary Fund) 22, no. 2 (1975): 510-38. doi.org/10.230....
Stride, H. G. “THE MARIA THERESA THALER.” The Numismatic Chronicle and Journal of the Royal Numismatic Society 16 (1956): 339-43. www.jstor.org/s....
Tschoegl, Adrian E. “Maria Theresa’s Thaler: A Case of International Money.” Eastern Economic Journal 27, no. 4 (2001): 443-62. www.jstor.org/s....
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Image Credits:
All CC images may be reused under the terms of their respective licenses.
5 Thalers: Puncsos, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikime...
Tournois coin: By Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. www.cngcoins.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikime...
Joachimsthaler: By NTNU Vitenskapsmuseet - Joachimsthaler, CC BY 2.0, commons.wikime...
Jachymov: By Devilsanddust - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikime...
Pitchblende: By James St. John, CC BY 2.0
Cross of Burgundy: By Ningyou. - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikime...
8 Real: By Numismática Pliego - Numismática Pliego, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikime...
Mexican 8 Real: By Centpacrr at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikime...
HRE flag: By David Liuzzo, eagle by N3MO - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikime...
Reichsthaler: By Weners - Own work (Original text: Eigene Arbeit), CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikime...
1742 Thaler: By cgb - www.cgb.fr/hong..., CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikime...
Maria Theresa's Tomb: By Dguendel - Own work, CC BY 4.0, commons.wikime...
Austrian Mint: By Peter Haas, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikime...
Battle of Adwa: By Tropenmuseum, part of the National Museum of World Cultures, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikime...
Birr: By Windrain - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, commons.wikime...
Bombay Mint: By Ajay Goyal - Flickr: BOMBAY MINT Post Card, CC BY 2.0, commons.wikime...
"Shepherd, Tigray" by Rod Waddington is marked with CC BY-SA 2.0.
Silver bars: By Brian Shamblen - www.flickr.com..., CC BY 2.0, commons.wikime...

[@guardianofthehill]

This channel really deserves much more subscribers. Like, seriously, i know of a lot of successful educational RUclips channels that pale in comparison to the educational value of this video alone! Keep it up man! (And greetings from Germany!)

[@SignoreGalilei]

Thanks so much! I'm glad to see that my videos are helping people learn :)

[@RightfulFallen]

Only 28 views? It feels like these videos are made especially for me. We've got a nice tiny little dedicated Signore Galilei fanbase going. I admire this channel's production quality despite the small viewership. Keep it up

[@rickyowens4169]

Dude this channel is great! don’t stop!

[@SignoreGalilei]

Thanks! More videos are on their way.

[@vincenttt8289]

Please make more coin related/numismatic content. I think you'd find Spanish and American era coins minted for the Philippines quite interesting.

[@SignoreGalilei]

I think it would be interesting. It's not the direction my channel has been going recently, but we'll see how it goes.

[@izebdeh]

Fascinating video! Had me captivated throughout. You deserve a lot more recognition dude.

[@SignoreGalilei]

Thanks!

[@ChrisOrban79]

I have only been collecting Maria Theresia talers since 2018 and now have 391 pieces, which is exactly 294 ounces

[@Davejpnt]

I'd recommend you get them tested with an XRF. I had some recently and they came back at 94% silver, instead of the 83.3% they are supposed to be.

[@Juan_Doooh]

That was a very informative video, thanks for sharing that history with us.

[@conradmcdougall3629]

This channel is great i just discovered it.

[@TSC47]

Ive seen this coin at the shop and didnt know much about it, Now I kind of want to buy it since its such a nice piece of history and ofcourse its still Silver!

[@SignoreGalilei]

It's pretty fun historically. It usually retails for a little bit more than the silver is worth on the market.

[@wnaderhuffstadt8201]

Epic vid bro keep it up!

[@SignoreGalilei]

Thanks!

[@m.c.kingmike5235]

I have one of those. Maria Teresa coin. If anyone interested

[@irenepongarrang7386]

How do we know our Maria theresa coin is from 18th century, not 20th century?

[@rui-jihi9824]

日本語🇯🇵翻訳があって助かりました！今でも作られているのですか？

[@antonymegancucukovic2755]

I have one still in good condition

[@SignoreGalilei]

Nice! How'd you get it?

[@antonymegancucukovic2755]

@@SignoreGalilei from my granny in Croatia

[@johnnydollar666]

i have some, it's all about the Thalers

[@SignoreGalilei]

Nice!

[@PokeCastle]

Please tell me I am not the only one who heard Maria Tharesa as Mother Teresa before reading captions

[@antonymegancucukovic2755]

Nope,I was also surprised to see her on the coin and even the history is cool.

[@antonymegancucukovic2755]

I have the exact same coin

[@manilynlansao9914]

I have a coin like this Theresa 6pcs

[@thesecondsilvereich7828]

The English still make 5 shilling coins of sterling witch is the oldest currency in the world

[@levispurgeon1250]

here because of althistory hub. good vid.

[@dirtcraftfan1525]

Same!

[@SignoreGalilei]

Thanks for stopping by! Alternate History Hub has great stuff, I've been a fan for years. Feel free to check out some more videos while you're here!

[@user-nr6xh7uk7x]

Now mysnmar on to the home

[@PokeCastle]

First! I know no-one cares.

[@SignoreGalilei]

As long as it makes you happy haha

[@EdbertWeisly]

Oldest Boomer still in touch

[@user-nr6xh7uk7x]

Now mysnmar on to the home