History of coins · 1520
1520: The Joachimsthaler – origin of the 'dollar'
Silver from Joachimsthal in Bohemia gives its name to the thaler – and through it to the dollar.
After rich silver deposits were found in Joachimsthal (today Jáchymov in the Czech Republic), the Counts of Schlick began striking large silver coins there around 1519–1520. They were called Joachimsthaler, soon simply 'thaler'.
The thaler became the leading silver coin of central Europe for centuries. Via the Dutch 'daalder' the name reached English as 'dollar' – which the United States adopted for its currency in 1792. Early Joachimsthalers are sought after; many later copies and restrikes exist.
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