The Taler Universe Collection

Joseph I (1705-1711)

Joseph I, (born July 26, 1678, Vienna, Austria-died April 17, 1711, Vienna), Holy Roman emperor from 1705, who unsuccessfully fought to retain the Spanish crown for the House of Habsburg.

The eldest son of the emperor Leopold I, Joseph became king of Hungary in 1687 and king of the Romans, the imperial successor-designate, in 1690. When Charles II, the last Spanish Habsburg, died in 1700, Joseph supported the candidacy of his own younger brother Charles (the future emperor Charles VI) against the French king Louis XIV's grandson Philip (later Philip V of Spain). During the long War of the Spanish Succession (1701-14), Joseph succeeded to the imperial throne, in May 1705.

He reorganized Austria's chaotic finances and converted the Viennese city bank into a state institution, measures that made Austria better able to finance its military struggle, though it continued to depend on foreign subsidies. Joseph's brilliant commander Prince Eugene of Savoy led Austria's armies to victory in Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands, but new enemies constantly threatened his domains. A revolt in Hungary, fomented by Louis XIV and led by Ferenc II Rákóczi, was not finally suppressed until after Joseph's death.

In 1707 the Emperor narrowly avoided war with Charles XII of Sweden, who had violated Austrian territory during his struggle with Frederick Augustus I of Saxony (Augustus II the Strong as king of Poland). In 1708 a conflict between the Emperor and the Pope reached a climax when Clement XI recognized Philip as king of Spain. Austrian troops attacked the Papal States until the Pope again supported the Habsburg cause in 1709. The Emperor's sudden death in 1711 deprived the Habsburgs of the Spanish succession, since the European powers would not countenance a revival of Charles V's global empire under Joseph's brother and successor, Charles VI.

1706 IAK. AUSTRIA. Joseph I (1705-1711) Taler. Hall Mint. 43mm. DAV-1018. KM-1438.1. Herinek 132. Obv: IOSEPHUS · D: G: ROM: IMP: SE: AV: G: HV: BO: REX ·. Laureate armored bust right. Rev: ARCHID: AVST: DVX: BV: COM: TYR ·. Arms within Order chain. Stunner. PCGS MS-67.

1707. Austria. Joseph I (1705-1711) Taler. DAV-1018. KM-1438.1. Tyrol, Hall Mint. Spectacular coin - sharply struck, lustrous and iridescent in toning. A superb specimen, likely finest for the type. NGC MS-66*.

1708. IMH. Austria. Joseph I (1705-1711) Taler. Vienna Mint.Obv: Large armored portrait right, legends around. Rev: Crowned imperial double eagle at center, legends and date around. DAV-1013, KM-1444. Frosty luster with super sharp strike. Mirror like reverse. Spectacular coin. NGC MS-65.

1708. Holy Roman Empire - Capture of Lille. Nuremberg, Lauffer workshop. Attributed to Caspar Gottlieb Lauffer, possibly with Friedrich Kleinert. 49mm. Julius 702; MI II 339/170; Van Loon IV, p. 544 / V-119/4; Horsky 7612; Popelka 131; Senk 244. Struck to commemorate the Allied capture of Lille during the War of the Spanish Succession. One side presents a dramatic panoramic view of Lille under bombardment, with its fortifications, artillery, sun and moon, accompanied by the biblical invocation from Joshua 10:12. The inscription records the siege and surrender of the citadel on 9 December 1708. The other depicts the Tower of Babel, using the biblical confusion of languages as a satirical allegory for the defeated French forces, while recording Prince Eugene of Savoy's siege and capture of Lille. An exceptionally elaborate early 18th-century medal combining military topography, biblical allegory and anti-French political satire. The present specimen is particularly notable for its superb preservation and fine architectural and figural detail. NGC MS-65.

Provenance: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction, 4 September 2026, lot 42045.

1711. Austria. Joseph I (1705-1711) Taler. DAV-1018. Her-130. KM-1438.1. Tyrol, Hall Mint. Lovely iridescent in toning coupled with a strong strike for a lovely coin. A superb specimen, the finest for the type. NGC MS-66.

1710 FN. Breslau. Joseph I (1705-1711) Taler. Signed by Franz Nowak, Breslau Mintmaster). 28.56 g. F.u.S. 806. Herinek 143. DAV. 1031. Very rare. NGC MS-61