Replica of Joseph I. thaler standard

Joseph I accession to the throne in 1705 raised great hopes and expectations. The emperor curbed the influence of Jesuits at the court, surrounded himself with reform politicians, supported the development of production and trade in the spirit of mercantilism. In the area of mintage, the emperor took up the system of his predecessor Leopold I of 1694. He just tried to regulate the circulation of poor quality Bavarian coins in his lands. During his rule he fought at several front lines for so-called Spanish heirloom, against Hungarian rebels led by Francis II Rakoczi and against the Turks. He died suddenly of small pox during peace talks with the revolting Hungarians. As Joseph I had no male heir, he was succeeded by his younger brother Charles VI, originally predestined to take over the Spanish heirloom.