One of my favorite hobbies has always been travelling. I've been to Europe a few times over the years always as a tourist, never actually for work. I've shared some of the fun coins I picked up on my first trip to the continent and I have another to share today. The one I have here is really more of a historical interest coin more than it is valuable.
Maria Theresa was the ruler of the Habsburg dominions (Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Bohemia, Transylvania, Mantua, Milan, Galicia and Lodomeria, the Austrian Netherlands, and Parma) from 1740 until 1780 when she died. She was also the Holy Roman Empress by marriage, so she had plenty of power and influence. She started taxes on nobility and the clergy (which had never been done) to help fund a standing army which was important since in those times wars were all to common. After a smallpox epidemic in 1767 she learned of inoculation and tried a successful test using 34 newborn orphans and 67 orphans from five to fourteen years old. I guess orphans were expendable... After the test was successful she had herself inoculated along with two of her children. She then set up an inoculation center for the people to be inoculated. She also notably setup education programs for all classes and modernized the legal system. Overall many lasting reforms and improvements that left her as a celebrated figure.
The Maria Theresa Thaler was produced from 1740 until her death in 1780. Then it continued to be produced using the date of 1780 until up to has recently as 2022 at mints across Europe and even India. So this one is a buyer beware, you never know what you are getting unless you are a true expert which I am not. This coin has seen a lot of wear and action over the years so it's definitely an older coin, but just how old I don't know. I bought it mainly for the wear and tear it had as well as the historic value.
About the coin:
Country: Austrian Empire, but could have been minted elsewhere
Mint: ?
Year: 1780, maybe but not likely
Mintage: more than 389 million
Denomination: 1 Thaler
Composition: 83.3% silver
Diameter: 40 mm
Weight: 28.0668 grams
Thickness: 2.5 mm
Edge: Lettered
Demonetized: yes
Obverse: Bust of Empress Maria Theresia with lettering: M · THERESIA · D · G · R · IMP · HU · BO · REG · S · F · translated (Maria Theresia, by the grace of God, empress of the Romans, queen of Hungary and Bohemia. Schöbel Tobias. Faby Josef.)
Reverse: Coat of arms of Maria Theresia with lettering: ARCHID · AVST · DUX · BURG · CO · TYR · 1780 · ☓ translation (Archduchess of Austria, duchess of Burgundy, countess of Tyrol)
These coins are generally not worth a whole lot and so picking them up for silver content isn't a bad idea. Plus it's a nice design which is why I picked one up (and only one.) I like collecting foreign silver when I visit on vacation, it's a fun hobby. Thanks for taking time to read my post and stopping by, please feel free to leave any comments or questions below.
And my disclaimer: Gold and silver stacking can be a fun hobby but isn't for everyone. You can lose money. I'm not a financial advisor and this isn't financial advice, please always do your own research before spending your hard earned money.
References:
Numista
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces7393.html
Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Theresa_thaler
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Theresa
Now for the winner of the re-blog lottery! The people who re-blogged were: 
Thanks everyone! It really helps my engagement which I'm working hard to improve! If you have any recommendations or suggestions please feel free to let me know.
And the Wheel of Names results:
Congratulations
I just sent over the funds for your 3 HBI units for both of you!
Now for today's re-blog lottery! You just need to re-blog my post you will be placed on the Wheel of Names for a spin to possibly win 3 HBI units! Just one prize for the lucky winner. Bots aren't allowed to enter please. Contest ends when I publish my next post which should be tomorrow. If I somehow missed you please let me know and I'll add you to the next draw.
Good luck to everyone!
What are HBI units? They are units that you can purchase to sponsor someone and you in turn receive a unit as well. This way we both benefit! They give you occasional upvotes on your posts for a lifetime, and the more you accumulate the more often you receive upvotes and the bigger they can be. You can read some more here:
If you have more questions feel free to ask.
