1 Thaler 2nd German Shooting Festival

Historical Context: The 1865 Bremen 1 Thaler commemorates the 2nd German Shooting Festival (Deutsches Bundesschießen), a significant national event held in the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen. Issued during a pivotal era of burgeoning German nationalism, this coin predates the formal unification of Germany under Bismarck, serving as a tangible symbol of inter-state cultural and social cohesion. Bremen, a prominent member of the North German Confederation, hosted this festival, underscoring its importance as a commercial and cultural hub within the fragmented German states. The Thaler itself, a standard of commerce and value, was here repurposed to celebrate a collective German identity.

Artistry: The design of the 1865 Bremen Thaler reflects the prevailing Neoclassical and early Historicist artistic styles of mid-19th century German medallic art. While a specific engraver is not consistently attributed across all references, the execution would have been undertaken by skilled mint artisans, likely from the Bremen mint or a contracted facility. The obverse typically features the intricate Bremen coat of arms, symbolizing the city's sovereignty and civic pride. The reverse design would invariably depict elements directly related to the shooting festival, such as crossed rifles, a target, a wreath, or an allegorical figure representing marksmanship or national unity, all rendered with a focus on classical balance and symbolic clarity.

Technical/Grading: Struck in .986 fine silver, this 1 Thaler coin, weighing 17.539 grams and measuring 34 millimeters, generally exhibits a high-quality strike commensurate with a commemorative issue. Key high-points to assess for wear and strike quality include the intricate details of the Bremen eagle's feathers and crown on the obverse, and on the reverse, the fine lines of any weaponry, the texture of wreaths, or the facial features and drapery of allegorical figures. Collectors should look for full, sharp legends and a crisp separation of design elements from the fields. Commemorative Thalers often received more careful striking than their circulating counterparts, leading to generally well-defined features, though minor areas of weakness can still occur.