Holy Roman Empire, Kingdom of Hungary, Joseph II, Taler 1783

The Virgin Mother Mary was highly worshipped since the days of the apostles. She can therefore be found on many coins. On this taler she sits in rays of light on a cloud with her child; her foot is set in a crescent, she wears a crown and holds a scepter. These details are of deep symbolism. The moon symbolizes sinfulness; that Mary is standing on it shows that she has conquered (original) sin. This is why she is the only human being that has been allowed to ascend into the heavens as yet. There she is worshipped as queen, as show her crown, the scepter and the corona.