The Almighty ThalerIn 1518 Count Stephen of Schlick founded a series of mines to exploit the veins o

The Almighty ThalerIn 1518 Count Stephen of Schlick founded a series of mines to exploit the veins of silver ore found on his lands in Bohemia (modern day Czech Republic).  He founded large mines at St. Joachimsthal (modern day Jachymov) and used the silver to mint 30 gram coins called “joachimsthalers” which bared his image.  Eventually the silver coins became very popular all over Europe as currency.  Shortened to the name “thaler”, the 30 gram silver coin became a standard of wealth for Europe for the next 400 years.  When the coin reached Colonial America the “thaler” became the “dollar”, which would serve as the national currency of the United States.  Even though today the use of silver for money has gone by the wayside, the dollar (in the form of paper fiat) is used by 38 nations including Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Jamaica, New Zealand, Taiwan, and the United States. -- source link

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