How to Identify the Hanover 2/3 Thaler
Recognize a Brunswick-Luneburg silver 2/3 Thaler by its ornate coat of arms, the leaping Saxon horse reverse, fraction mark, and 1694 date.
Read the full Hanover 2/3 Thaler encyclopedia entry →
Start with size and metal. The 2/3 Thaler is a large, fairly thick silver coin, roughly 30-40 mm across and near 17 grams under the Leipzig standard. A genuine piece is non-magnetic, has a ringing tone, and shows the natural toning of old silver; a dull, magnetic, or off-weight coin points to a replica.
Read the obverse arms. Look for an ornate, multi-quartered coat of arms with a full heraldic display, surrounded by a Latin legend naming the ruler and the Brunswick-Luneburg titles, with the date 1694 worked into the legend or field. Sharp, deeply engraved heraldry is expected; mushy or flat detail suggests a cast copy.
Check the reverse horse and fraction. The diagnostic is the leaping/rearing horse of Lower Saxony in profile, paired with a denomination mark showing the two-thirds fraction. Confirm the horse is dynamic and finely rendered and that the fraction and date read cleanly and match the ruler's period.
Rule out look-alikes. Many German States struck 2/3 Thaler to the same standard, and several share the Saxon horse (Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel and other Welf lines). Use the exact legend, arms, and mint details to confirm the Hanover (Calenberg) attribution rather than relying on the horse alone. Do not confuse the 2/3 Thaler with a full Thaler, which is larger and heavier.
Authenticate carefully. Weight, diameter, edge treatment, and lettering style should all be consistent with genuine late-17th-century silver. Cast seams, soapy surfaces, or wrong weight are red flags. For any valuable example, seek third-party grading or a specialist opinion before buying or selling.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell a 2/3 Thaler from a full Thaler?
The full Thaler is larger and heavier (around 28-29 grams), while the 2/3 Thaler is a smaller crown-sized fraction near 17 grams. Weigh and measure the coin and check the fraction mark on the reverse.
Other German coins have the same horse. How do I confirm Hanover?
The leaping horse is shared across the Welf/Lower Saxon states, so read the full legend, ruler's name and titles, and coat of arms rather than the horse alone to pin down the Brunswick-Luneburg (Hanover) attribution.
What are the quickest authenticity checks?
Confirm silver (non-magnetic, correct weight near 17 g, ringing tone), sharp heraldic and horse detail, period lettering, and a 1694 date consistent with the ruler; send high-value pieces for professional grading.