1/2 Thaler - Maximilian II Joachimsthal

Joachimsthal — the Joachim's valley mint in northwestern Bohemia — was the original source of the large silver coins that gave the word "dollar" its name, via "Joachimsthaler" contracted to "thaler." By Maximilian's reign the mint had been operating for over fifty years under Habsburg supervision, though tensions between the crown and the local Schlick family, who had founded the original operation, had long since been resolved in the Habsburgs' favor.

Maximilian II was notably tolerant of Bohemian Protestantism, a position that kept the peace in the kingdom but complicated his relationship with Rome throughout his reign.