1 Thaler - William IV

William IV of Hesse-Cassel — "the Wise" — was one of the most scientifically accomplished rulers of the sixteenth century, operating a purpose-built observatory at Kassel that predated Tycho Brahe's Uraniborg work in sophistication of record-keeping. His court attracted astronomers and instrument-makers from across the Holy Roman Empire. The 1592 date places this thaler among the final issues of his reign; William died the following year.

Hesse-Cassel thalers of this period drew silver primarily from the Richelsdorf mines in the northern Hessian uplands.