Two Austrian Maria Theresa Thaler silver coins 1780 (possibly later restrike) later converted into a locket, both marked "SF" (one on back edge of coin, the other under profile bust of Maria Theresa Thaler). The Maria Theresa Thaler is probably one of the most famous and well known coins of the world. Originally struck in Austria from 1740 to 1780, the Thaler was the currency of the Austrian Empire. It was very important for trade with the Levant (parts of Turkey, Lebanon, Syria). Over time, the Maria Theresa Thaler became the best known and most popular silver coin in the Arabian world. After the death of Empress Maria Theresa in 1780, Joseph II permitted the Austrian mint to continue striking the coin with the 1780 dies in order to meet demand from the Middle East. The 1780 taler was the only silver coin that the Arabs trusted and would accept. Since then, the Maria Theresa Thaler has been restruck for trade purposes at Vienna, Austria with the 1780 date frozen in time. The taler became the unofficial currency in some areas of Africa and Asia, and may still be in use today as a "trade silver dollar" in some Arabian bazaars. Diameter of coin approximately 1.6". Provenance: From a Private Collection in Warner Robbins, Georgia.