Thaler Coinage of the Pre Empire German States - Chapter 14 Our numismatic quest into the Thaler Coinage of the Free German States, at a time when there were about 1,800 of them, brings to our next state under the alphabetical listing of B. That state is Bernburg which, for most of its Principality and Duchy existence, found itself in the company of Anhalt as Anhalt-Bernberg. Anhalt-Bernburg was a principality of the Holy Roman Empire and a duchy of the German Confederation ruled by the House of Ascania with its residence at Bernburg in present-day Saxony-Anhalt. It emerged as a subdivision from Anhalt from 1252 to 1468 and again from 1603 until the re-unification in 1863. To show you how Anhalt-Bernberg was scattered across the territorial landscape just consult this map. Those scatterings of dark green tell the story (Wikimedia photo): MAP SHOWING AREAS OF ANHALT-BERNBERG Remember all fractional Thalers, any single Thaler, Dopplethaler or other multiple-Thaler coins are predominanty made of silver. All coin photos courtesy of Coin Archives unless noted. During Karl Wilhelm's Dukedom when Bernberg was associated with Anhalt-Zerbst this 1678 silver 2/3 Thaler was minted and is typical of the silver Thaler coinage while Duke Wilhelm ruled: ANHALT-ZERBST 1678 SILVER 2/3 THALER - DUKE KARL WILHELM The Dukedom to Anhalt-Bernburg was inherited by Viktor Friedrich in 1721. His reign lasted until 1765. This 8 Gute Groschen was struck by the Bernburg Mint (B mint mark): ANHALT-BERNBURG 1758-B 8 GUTE GROSCHEN - DUKE VIKTOR FRIEDRICH Friedrich Albrecht became Duke of Anhalt-Bernberg in 1765. 29 years later this (1794) Konventionthaler was struck (Note the bust on the obverse and the reverse design): ANHALT-BERNBURG 1794 SILVER KONVENTIONS THALER - DUKE FRIEDRICH ALBRECHT During 1796, Duke Albrecht's last year of governorship of Anhalt-Bernburg, this silver 1796 Komventionthaler was minted. Notice the changes to the obverse and reverse: ANHALT-BERNBURG 1796 SILVER KONVENTIONTHALER - FRIEDRICH ALBRECHT Alexius Friedrich Christian became Duke of Anhalt-Bernburg in 1796. This 1806 Konventionthaler is typical of the Thaler coinage until his death in 1834: ANHALT-BERNBURG 1806 SILVER KONVENTIONTHALER - DUKE CHRISTIAN You may not know that Dukats were not the only gold coins minted for and by the pre empire German states. Take a look at this 5 Thaler gold coin also minted in 1796, Christian's first year as Duke: ANHALT-BERNBURG 1796 GOLD 5 THALER - DUKE ALEXIUS FRIEDRICH CHRISTIAN Here's a look at two fractional Thalers from the governorship of Alexius Friedrich Christian: ANHALT-BERNBURG 1799 SILVER 1/2 THALER - DUKE CHRISTIAN ANHALT-BERNBURG 1808 SILVER 1/2 THALER - DUKE CHRISTIAN Alexander Carl inherited the Dukedom of Anhalt-Bernburg in 1834 and this 1834 silver Thaler was struck soon after: ANHALT-BERNBURG 1834 SILVER THALER- DUKE ALEXANDER CARL 11 years later (1845), he (Duke Alexander Carl) saw his likeness placed on the Thaler coinage of his reign as shown by this 1845 Vereinsdopplethaler: ANHALT-BERNBURG 1845 SILVER VEREINSDOPPLETHALER - DUKE ALEXANDER CARL Alexander Carl was Duke from 1834-1863. Various designs were inplemented on the Thaler coinage during his leadership. Here's a few more: ANHALT-BERNBURG 1855 SILVER THALER - DUKE ALEXANDER CARL ANHALT-BERNBURG 1859 SILVER VEREINSTHALER - DUKE ALEXANDER CARL The following 3 examples of Thaler coinage under Duke Carl's leadership were struck at the Berlin Mint (A mint mark): ANHALT-BERNBURG 1862-A SILVER THALER - DUKE CARL ANHALT-BERNBURG 1855-A SILVER THALER - DIKE CARL ANHALT-BERNBURG 1859-A SILVER THALER - DUKE CARL For a time Bernburg was linked to Anhalt-Dessau and from 1817-1871 Leopold Friedrich was in control. This Vereinsdopplethaler was the typical Thaler coinage: ANHALT-DESSAU 1839 SILVER VEREINSDOPPLETHALER - DUKE LEOPOLD FRIEDRICH In 1863 this Vereinsthaler was typical: ANHALT-DESSAU 1863 SILVER VEREIGNSTHALER - DUKE LEOPOLD FRIEDRICH Note the reverse changes on this 1869 Vereinsthaler: ANHALT-DESSAU 1869 SILVER VEREINSTHALER - DUKE LEOPOLD FRIEDRICH Hope you enjoyed this pictorial tour of Bernburg's Thaler coinage. To be continued... Clinker
