Featured White Papers
- The missing link: Driving business results through pay-for-performance (SuccessFactors, Inc.)
- 9 critical reasons to automate performance management (SuccessFactors, Inc.)
- Aug. 28th: Delivering Online Presentations That Result in Higher Sales (Citrix Online)
Content provided in partnership with
A Silver Legend: The Story of the Maria Theresa Thaler
Contemporary Review, Summer, 2006
A Silver Legend: The Story of the Maria Theresa Thaler. Clara Semple. Barzan Publishing. [pounds sterling]19.95. xii + 165 pages. ISBN 0-9549701-0-1. Long before the Latin Monetary Union or the Euro, Europe and much of the world had a common currency in the thaler first minted in 1741 in the Imperial Mints of the Holy Roman Empire, in this case those in Austria.
The coin, weighing about an ounce, was originally called the Joachimsthaler because its first minting drew on the silver mines in St Joachimstal in Bohemia. It became valued because throughout its many mintings it had a consistently high silver content. In time it was minted in Britain, France, Italy and India and by the date of writing there were almost 4,000,000 thalers; inevitably there were forgeries. The coin followed Austria's trade with the Levant (principally for coffee) and was widely used in countries bordering the Mediterranean and into Arabia, the Horn of Africa, the Americas and China. It survived as currency in the Middle East years after it had ceased to be minted. It was and is used extensively for jewellery in Africa and the Middle East. While the author first gives background information regarding eighteenth century currency and Maria Theresia her main concern is with the spreading of the coin and its use today. It is a fascinating story which is well told. (P.P.F.)
COPYRIGHT 2006 Contemporary Review Company Ltd.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning
Find Research Guides for:
Find Featured Titles for: Health
- AAACN Viewpoint
- ABNF Journal, The
- AIDS Treatment News
- AMAA Journal
- Aboriginal Nurse, The
- Adolescence
- Adolescent Psychiatry
- Advances in Skin & Wound Care
- Age and Ageing
- Alabama Nurse
- Alberta RN
- Alcohol Research & Health
- Alternative Medicine Review
- American Family Physician
- American Fitness
- Men's Fitness
- Psychology Today
- Shape