What was the First International Currency? Maria Theresa and her Wildly Popular Thalers
Channel: Monetized History
Date: 2020-05-12

In 1741, in the heart of the Holy Roman Empire, a young queen began having minted what would become the world's first international currency and perhaps the longest continuously minted coin design.


On the obverse is Maria Theresa, last of the Habsburg monarchs, mother of Marie Antoinette. Her reign was marked by war and political reform.


On the reverse is the double-headed eagle of the Holy Roman Empire, a vestige of the old Roman Empire.


For the next 200 years it would be used as currency throughout the world laying the foundation for the emergent international economy.