Mainz 1689 silver 2/3 Taler emergency coinage
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1689
This 1689 silver 2/3 Taler is a significant example of emergency coinage issued during the siege of Mainz. Commissioned by the French Commander Marquis d'Uxelles, the coin was struck during the occupation of the city by French forces.
Minted using silver confiscated from local citizens and church treasures, this currency was produced specifically to facilitate payments to the occupying military troops. The obverse features the mirror monogram of Louis XIV of France enclosed within a highly detailed crowned cartouche, surrounded by a Latin inscription. The reverse displays the denomination '2/3' prominently in the center, encircled by the date 1689 and a religious inscription.
With a weight of 18.02 grams, the piece remains an important historical artifact documenting the economic measures taken during the intense military conflicts of the late 17th century, reflecting both the scarcity of resources and the logistical necessity for military funding within a besieged city.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Weight
- 18.02 g
- Material
- Silver
Technical characteristics
- Denomination
- 2/3 Taler
Design
- Obverse
- Mirror monogram of Louis XIV in crowned cartouche
- Reverse
- Denomination 2/3
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Recorded
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.