Reichsthaler
Encyclopedia
The Reichsthaler was a standard Thaler
of the Holy Roman Empire
, established in 1566 by the Leipzig
convention. It was also the name of a unit of account in northern Germany and of a silver coin issued by Prussia
.
of silver. The various German states within the Empire issued Reichsthaler together with smaller coins according to whatever system of subdivisions they chose. In 1754, the Conventionsthaler
(containing 1/10 of a mark of silver) replaced the Reichsthaler as the standard.
as a unit of account, with the unit of account being worth ¾ of the value of a Reichsthaler coin. As a unit of account, the Reichsthaler was therefore equivalent to of a Cologne mark of silver. After 1754, this unit (now ¾ of a Convenstionsthaler, of a mark of silver) continued to be used, although it was more commonly referred to as simply a Thaler.
In most of the states using the Reichsthaler as a unit of account, it was subdivided into 288 Pfennig
, with intermediate denominations such as the Groschen
or Gutegroschen, worth 12 Pfennig (1/24 of a Reichsthaler), and the Mariengroschen, worth 8 Pfennig (1/32 of a Reichsthaler).
adopted a Reichsthaler (also often called the thaler) containing 1/14 of a Cologne mark of silver. This standard was referred to as the "Graumannscher Fuß" after Philipp Graumann, its originator. For more information, see Prussian Thaler
.
During the early 19th century, the smaller Prussian standard for the Reichsthaler replaced the larger standard in most of northern Germany.
See Hannovarian Thaler
, Hesse-Kassel (or Hesse-Cassel) Thaler
, Mecklenburg Thaler
and Saxon Thaler
.
The Prussian standard also became part of the currency used in southern Germany following the currency union of 1837. The thaler was worth 1¾ Gulden
.
These Thaler were replaced by the Vereinsthaler
, of almost the same weight, in 1857.
Thaler
The Thaler was a silver coin used throughout Europe for almost four hundred years. Its name lives on in various currencies as the dollar or tolar. Etymologically, "Thaler" is an abbreviation of "Joachimsthaler", a coin type from the city of Joachimsthal in Bohemia, where some of the first such...
of the Holy Roman Empire
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
, established in 1566 by the Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
convention. It was also the name of a unit of account in northern Germany and of a silver coin issued by Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
.
Reichsthaler coin
The Leipzig convention set the Reichsthaler as a coin containing 1/9 of a Cologne markCologne mark
The Cologne Mark was a unit of weight equivalent to 233.856 grams. It was introduced by the Danish King Hans in the late 15th century and was used as a standard for weighing metals...
of silver. The various German states within the Empire issued Reichsthaler together with smaller coins according to whatever system of subdivisions they chose. In 1754, the Conventionsthaler
Conventionsthaler
The Conventionstaler was a standard silver coin of the Holy Roman Empire. It was introduced in 1754 and contained one tenth of a Cologne mark of silver ....
(containing 1/10 of a mark of silver) replaced the Reichsthaler as the standard.
Reichsthaler unit of account
At the same time as the Reichsthaler was being issued as a coin, it was also being used in much of Northern GermanyNorthern Germany
- Geography :The key terrain features of North Germany are the marshes along the coastline of the North Sea and Baltic Sea, and the geest and heaths inland. Also prominent are the low hills of the Baltic Uplands, the ground moraines, end moraines, sandur, glacial valleys, bogs, and Luch...
as a unit of account, with the unit of account being worth ¾ of the value of a Reichsthaler coin. As a unit of account, the Reichsthaler was therefore equivalent to of a Cologne mark of silver. After 1754, this unit (now ¾ of a Convenstionsthaler, of a mark of silver) continued to be used, although it was more commonly referred to as simply a Thaler.
In most of the states using the Reichsthaler as a unit of account, it was subdivided into 288 Pfennig
Pfennig
The Pfennig , plural Pfennige, is an old German coin or note, which existed from the 9th century until the introduction of the euro in 2002....
, with intermediate denominations such as the Groschen
Groschen
Groschen was the name for a coin used in various German-speaking states as well as some non-German-speaking countries of Central Europe , the Danubian principalities...
or Gutegroschen, worth 12 Pfennig (1/24 of a Reichsthaler), and the Mariengroschen, worth 8 Pfennig (1/32 of a Reichsthaler).
Prussian Reichsthaler
In 1750, PrussiaPrussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
adopted a Reichsthaler (also often called the thaler) containing 1/14 of a Cologne mark of silver. This standard was referred to as the "Graumannscher Fuß" after Philipp Graumann, its originator. For more information, see Prussian Thaler
Prussian thaler
The Thaler was the currency of Prussia until 1857. From 1750, it was distinct from north German Reichsthaler unit of account in that it contained 1/14 of a Cologne mark of silver, rather than 1/12, and was minted as a coin...
.
During the early 19th century, the smaller Prussian standard for the Reichsthaler replaced the larger standard in most of northern Germany.
See Hannovarian Thaler
Hannovarian thaler
The Thaler was the currency of the Electorate, later Kingdom of Hanover until 1857. Until 1834, it was equal to three quarters of a Conventionsthaler and was subdivided into 36 Mariengroschen, each of 8 Pfennig....
, Hesse-Kassel (or Hesse-Cassel) Thaler
Hesse-Kassel thaler
The Thaler was the currency of the Landgravate, then Electorate of Hesse-Kassel until 1858. Until 1807, the Thaler was subdivided into 32 Albus, each of 12 Heller...
, Mecklenburg Thaler
Mecklenburg thaler
The Thaler was the currency of the two Duchies, later Grand Duchies, of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Strelitz until 1857. It was replaced the Mecklenburg Vereinsthaler at par. From 1848, it was equal to the Prussian Thaler....
and Saxon Thaler
Saxon thaler
The Thaler was the currency of the Electorate and Kingdom of Saxony until 1857. Between 1754 and 1841, it was equal to three quarters of a Conventionsthaler and was subdivided into 24 Groschen, each of 12 Pfennig. In 1841, Saxony partially decimalized, dividing the Thaler into 30 Neugroschen, each...
.
The Prussian standard also became part of the currency used in southern Germany following the currency union of 1837. The thaler was worth 1¾ Gulden
South German gulden
The Gulden was the currency of the states of southern Germany between 1754 and 1873. These states included Bavaria, Baden, Württemberg, Frankfurt and Hohenzollern....
.
These Thaler were replaced by the Vereinsthaler
Vereinsthaler
The Vereinsthaler was a standard silver coin used in most German states and the Austrian Empire in the years prior to German unification.- Introduction :...
, of almost the same weight, in 1857.