Maria Theresa Thalers

April 8, 2008 9:05 AM

The Maria Theresa Thaler (or MTT), a coin first minted in 1741 and continuously to this day, remained legal tender in parts of the Arabian peninsula as late as 1970, where it was much prized both as a coin and for jewelry [magazine article] Incredibly important for trade between Europe and the Middle East, the MTT had a great impact on history. For more information turn to Maria Theresa's Thaler: A case of international money an indepth article about the MTT by Adrian Tschoegl.
posted by Kattullus (10 comments total)

Bookmarked. This looks fascinating.
posted by jokeefe at 9:24 AM on April 8, 2008

I have vague memories of James Burke talking about the Maria Theresa Thaler in an episode of Connections (or possibly Connections 2 or 3) but this may be incorrect. Does anyone know?
posted by Kattullus at 9:37 AM on April 8, 2008

I've been fascinated by this coin ever since I discovered it was still the currency of choice in some places. Thanks for the post!
posted by languagehat at 10:07 AM on April 8, 2008

Cool.
posted by LobsterMitten at 10:09 AM on April 8, 2008

Maria Theresa was the mother of Marie Antoinette, and a hell of a stateswoman to say the least.
posted by padraigin at 10:35 AM on April 8, 2008

Note that the United States uses its own version of the Thaler.
posted by Ironmouth at 10:48 AM on April 8, 2008

Yes, in Connections he linked it to the Dollar. (see Ironmouth's comment)
posted by Eideteker at 10:55 AM on April 8, 2008

Don't forget that we have the modern word "dollar" because of Jack Shaftoe mangling the word "thaler" due to a speech impediment!
posted by sourwookie at 11:50 AM on April 8, 2008

I initially read it as Maria Theresa Whaler, I thought it might be some kind of commemorative fish sandwich.
posted by doctor_negative at 1:38 PM on April 8, 2008

It's all the abayas, see. This coin was like Playboy. A little round silver Playboy.
posted by dhartung at 1:46 AM on April 9, 2008