Lot 139
139
German States. Hanover. 1825-B 10 Thaler. KM 133. F-15 (PCGS). Even light yellow gold. Adjustment marks noted at 6:00 reverse. Despite the seemingly exotic nature of a German States gold piece in the California gold fields, the 10 thaler coin was actually a very commonly traded and trusted gold piece in the pantheon of international gold coins, having current status throughout America prior to 1857 and in circulation thereafter, to mid-1860.
German States. Hanover. 1825-B 10 Thaler. KM 133. F-15 (PCGS). Even light yellow gold. Adjustment marks noted at 6:00 reverse. Despite the seemingly exotic nature of a German States gold piece in the California gold fields, the 10 thaler coin was actually a very commonly traded and trusted gold piece in the pantheon of international gold coins, having current status throughout America prior to 1857 and in circulation thereafter, to mid-1860.

Details
German States. Hanover. 1825-B 10 Thaler. KM 133. F-15 (PCGS). Even light yellow gold. Adjustment marks noted at 6:00 reverse. Despite the seemingly exotic nature of a German States gold piece in the California gold fields, the 10 thaler coin was actually a very commonly traded and trusted gold piece in the pantheon of international gold coins, having current status throughout America prior to 1857 and in circulation thereafter, to mid-1860.
Struck under George IV of England as monarch of Hanover, this 10 thaler issue was one of the commoner German States pieces that had legal tender status in America, typically about $8 in the 1850's. This coin may have reached the gold fields in the pocket of a German immigrant (whose numbers were legion) or simply from the commercial centers of the East Coast after having circulated most of its life there. Fascinating and important.