
The Hesse-Kassel Vereinstaler was a significant coin in the region of Hesse-Kassel, Germany. It was introduced in 1837 and was the first coin to bear the name "Vereinstaler".
The Vereinstaler was a large coin, weighing 28.125 grams and measuring 38.5 mm in diameter. It was made of a silver-copper alloy.
The coin's design featured a portrait of Wilhelm II, the ruler of Hesse-Kassel, on the obverse, while the reverse showed the royal coat of arms.
History of Hesse-Kassel
Hesse-Kassel was one of the states that adopted the Doppeltaler = 3½ Gulden as a common currency in 1838. This was part of the Dresdner Münzvertrag, which aimed to create a unified currency for the German Zollverein.
The Doppeltaler was used in Hesse-Kassel, along with other states, including Preußen, Sachsen, and the thüringischen Herzogtümern und Fürstentümern. This unified currency was based on the value of silver, with 7 Doppeltaler equivalent to a Feinen Mark (233,8555 g).
The Doppeltaler was not very popular, earning the nickname "Champagnertaler" due to its large size.
Geschichte
In 1838, the Dresdner Münzvertrag created a unified "Vereinsmünze" called the Doppeltaler, worth 3½ Gulden, which was valid in Hesse-Kassel and other Zollvereinsstaaten.
This Doppeltaler was based on the value of silver, with 7 of them equivalent to a "Feinen Mark" of 233.8555 grams. The preußische Kölner Feinen Mark was used as the standard.
The Doppeltaler was not popular, earning the nickname "Champagnertaler" due to its large size, and was worth around 7½ französische Franc internationally.
By 1838, a nearly unified German currency already existed, with the "norddeutscher" Doppeltaler equivalent to the "süddeutsche" Doppeltaler and the "österreichische" Doppeltaler.
However, the practical problem was that the small change (Heller, Pfennige, Kreuzer, Groschen) of the Taler and Gulden lands were often only exchangeable with "Umwechselverlust" between each other.
The older, still circulating small change of the 18th century, like Heller and Pfennige, were based on older Münzfüße and couldn't be directly compared to the new Zollvereinswährung of 1838.
Einführung Des Vereinstalers
The Vereinstaler was introduced as the new Hauptsilbermünze in 1857, replacing the Vereinsmünze. It was a simple and double Vereinstaler that was standardized across the Zollvereinsstaaten.
The new Münzfuß was the Zoll- or Neu-Pfund, which equated to 30 Neu-Lot or 500 Gramm. This change was relatively minor, with the difference in Silberfeingewichte between the old Talern and Gulden on Markgewichtsbasis and the new ones on Zollpfundbasis being only 0.038 grams for simple Talers.
The Vereinstaler was widely accepted across the Zollverein, with the practical problem of Umwechselverlust being largely resolved. The new Münzfuß was also reflected in the design of the Vereinstaler, which was introduced in the landestypischen designs of the Guldenländer.
The Vereinstaler was a significant step towards a unified German currency, with the introduction of the Vereinstaler and Vereinskrone in 1857. However, the Vereinstaler would eventually be replaced by the Goldmark in 1871, marking the end of the Silber-Kurantmünze era.
Vereinstaler
The Vereinstaler was a significant coin in Hesse-Kassel's history. It was introduced as part of the Wiener Münzvertrag in 1857, which also included Austria and other Zollvereinsstaates in the Münzunion.
The Vereinstaler replaced the "Vereinsmünze" and was minted in various landestypischen designs across the Guldenländer. It had a new Münzfuß based on the Zoll-Pfund, which was equivalent to 30 Neu-Lot or 500 Gramm.
The Vereinstaler was initially equivalent to the old Vereinsmünze, with minimal differences in Silberfeingewichte. This meant that there was no significant difference in the Geldverkehr between the old and new coins.
After Austria's departure from the Münzunion in 1866, the Vereinstaler continued to be minted in the German territories until 1871. The last Doppel-Vereinstaler was a Gedenkmünze for the golden wedding anniversary of the Saxon royal couple in 1872.
The Vereinstaler's value was tied to the Mark-System, but it didn't fit with the Goldstandard after 1871. As a result, the Zweitaler-Stücke became invalid in Germany on November 15, 1876, and in Austria on January 1, 1901.
Coins and Lots
The Vereinstaler was a significant coin in the Münzunion, introduced in 1857 as part of the Wiener Münzvertrag. It replaced the Vereinsmünze and was set as the main silver coin, alongside the double Vereinstaler.
The new Münzfuß was the Zoll- or Neu-Pfund, equivalent to 30 Neu-Lot or 500 Gramm, which was a notable change from the previous Markgewichtsbasis.
In practice, this change didn't lead to a significant difference in the value of the coins, as the silver content was only slightly adjusted.
Vereinstaler aus 1840
The Vereinstaler from 1840 is a fascinating coin. It was minted with a value of 2 Thaler and 3 1/2 Gulden.
The coin features an inscription on the left side that reads "2 THALER 3 1/2 GULDEN 1840 - VEREINS M VII E F MARK KURFÜRSTENTUM HESSEN". This tells us the coin's denomination, year of minting, and the region it was from.
Wilhelm II, the Kurfürst and Friedr Wilhelm, the Kurprinz, are mentioned on the right side of the coin as the rulers at the time of its minting.
Lot 2484

Lot 2484 is a coin from the Hessen-Kassel region, specifically from the time of Friedrich Wilhelm I, who ruled from 1847 to 1866.
This coin is known as a Vereinstaler, which was minted in 1862.
It features a signature from Christoph Carl Pfeuffer, an important detail for collectors.
The coin is a rare find for anyone interested in the history of the Hessen-Kassel region.
Friedrich Wilhelm I's rule marked a significant period in the region's history, and this coin provides a tangible connection to that time.
The Vereinstaler was a standard currency unit during Friedrich Wilhelm I's reign, used in everyday transactions.
Christoph Carl Pfeuffer's signature adds an extra layer of authenticity to this coin, making it a valuable addition to any collection.
Lot 3574
Lot 3574 is a fascinating coin that dates back to the 19th century. It was minted in Kassel, Germany between 1847 and 1866.
This particular coin, a 2 Taler, was stamped with a mark by Christoph Carl Pfeuffer in 1855. It's worth noting that the coin's value is equivalent to 3 1/2 Gulden.
The coin is also notable for being a Vereinsmünze, or a coin issued by a club or organization.
Lot 4314

Lot 4314 is a rare and valuable coin from the Hessen-Kassel region. It was minted during the reign of Friedrich II from 1760 to 1785 in Kassel.
This coin is a 1/12 Taler from 1768, which is a relatively rare denomination. The coin features a lion holding a shield.
The lion on the coin is a symbol of power and strength, reflecting the values of the Hessen-Kassel region during that time.
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