{"product_id":"wc-6670-german-states-1750a-brandenburg-prussia-half-thaler-au50","title":"German States 1750A Brandenburg-Prussia Half Thaler Almost Uncirculated (AU50)","description":"German States 1750A Brandenburg-Prussia Half Thaler Almost Uncirculated (AU50) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFrederick II (Friedrich II) of Prussia, often known as Frederick the Great, was one of the most influential monarchs of 18th-century Europe, ruling the Kingdom of Prussia from 1740 until his death. An exemplar of enlightened absolutism, he combined a strong, centralized military state with an interest in philosophy, the arts, and religious tolerance. Frederick expanded Prussian territory through conflicts such as the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War, most notably securing the wealthy region of Silesia. Despite facing near defeat during the Seven Years’ War, his resilience and strategic skill ultimately elevated Prussia to the status of a major European power. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBeyond warfare, Frederick was an active patron of culture and a correspondent with leading Enlightenment thinkers, including Voltaire. He reformed aspects of the legal system, promoted agricultural development, and supported limited religious freedom, though his rule remained firmly autocratic. Frederick also invested in architecture and the arts, most famously commissioning the palace of Sanssouci Palace as his personal retreat. Upon his death in 1786, he left instructions that he should be buried next to his greyhounds on the vineyard terrace of Sanssouci, which was ignored by his successor, nephew Frederick William II, who instead buried him next to his father at Potsdam Garrison Church. Towards the end of WWII, Adolf Hitler ordered Frederick's coffin to be hidden in a salt mine to protect it from destruction. On the 205th anniversary of his death, Frederick's body was finally interred in the vineyard terrace of Sanssouci in a crypt that he had built. Visitors to his grave often place potatoes on his gravestone in honour of his promotion of the potato in Prussia. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eObverse: The armored bust of Friedrich II facing right, with the legend around. \u003cbr\u003eReverse: A crowned eagle above cannons and flags, with the date divided by the mintmark below and the denomination above. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSpecifications: \u003cbr\u003eIssuer: The Kingdom of Prussia \u003cbr\u003eMonarch: Friedrich II (1740-1786) \u003cbr\u003eComposition: 0.750 Silver \u003cbr\u003eWeight: 11 g \u003cbr\u003eDiameter: 33 mm \u003cbr\u003eEdge: Reeded \u003cbr\u003eDie Axis: ↑↑ \u003cbr\u003eMint: Berlin, Germany","brand":"Colonial Acres Coins","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53486013874465,"sku":"WC-6670","price":297.5,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0679\/1744\/7457\/files\/WC-6670.jpg?v=1789058386","url":"https:\/\/www.colonialacres.com\/products\/wc-6670-german-states-1750a-brandenburg-prussia-half-thaler-au50","provider":"Colonial Acres Coins","version":"1.0","type":"link"}