⅔ Thaler - Jérôme Bonaparte Clausthal Ausbeute

Historical Context: The 1811 ⅔ Thaler of Westphalia, bearing the effigy of Jérôme Bonaparte, encapsulates a pivotal period of Napoleonic dominance in Central Europe. Jérôme, Napoleon's youngest brother, was installed as King of Westphalia in 1807, ruling a newly created French client state carved from various German territories. This kingdom was intended as a model state, demonstrating the benefits of Napoleonic administration, yet it served primarily as a source of revenue and troops for the French Empire. The "Clausthal Ausbeute" inscription signifies that the silver for this coinage was sourced directly from the rich mines of Clausthal in the Harz region, underscoring Westphalia's economic exploitation and contribution to the Napoleonic war machine.

Artistry: This coin exemplifies the Neoclassical artistic style prevalent during the Napoleonic era. The obverse typically features a finely rendered, laureate bust of King Jérôme Bonaparte, often facing right, reflecting the idealized portraiture reminiscent of Roman emperors. The reverse design commonly displays the crowned arms of Westphalia, a complex shield incorporating the Napoleonic eagle alongside traditional Westphalian symbols like the horse. The legend encircling the design details the denomination and the "Ausbeute der Grube Clausthal" (Product of the Clausthal Mine) provenance. While specific engraver details are often unrecorded for these issues, the craftsmanship reflects the skilled mint workers operating under French administrative standards, producing coinage of considerable aesthetic quality for the time.

Technical/Grading: Struck in high-purity silver (.994 fine), the 1811 ⅔ Thaler generally exhibits a strong strike, allowing for excellent detail retention. Key high-points to assess for wear on the obverse include the highest curls of Jérôme's hair, the individual leaves of the laurel wreath, and the drapery on his shoulder. On the reverse, critical areas are the intricate details of the crown, the features of the Napoleonic eagle, and the Westphalian horse on the shield. Early strikes will present full separation of these elements, while later strikes or heavily circulated examples may show softening. The high silver content typically results in a pleasing, satiny luster when preserved, though original surface quality can vary due to the specific minting processes at Clausthal or Kassel.