20 Kreuzer Holy Roman Empire (962-1806) Silver Francis II, Holy R ...

1785, Emperor Joseph II. Nice Silver 20 Kreuzer Coin. Vienna Mint!

Mint Year: 1785
Reference: KM-2069.
Mint Place: Vienna (A)
Denomination: 20 Kreuzer
Condition: Cleaned, otherwise VF+
Diameter: 28mm
Material: Silver
Weight: 6.59gm

Obverse: Laureated bust of Joseph II right, within wreath. Mintmark (A) of the Vienna mint below.
Legend: IOSEPH . II . D . G . R . I . S . A . GE . REX . A . A . LO . & . M . H . D .

Reverse: Crown above double-headed imperial eagle, with crowned shield at chest. Denomination flanked by sprays below.
Legend: VIRTUTE ET EXEMPLO . 1785 . X /

Joseph II (Joseph Benedikt Anton Michael Adam; 13 March 1741 – 20 February 1790) was Holy Roman Emperor from 1765 to 1790 and ruler of the Habsburg lands from 1780 to 1790. He was the eldest son of Empress Maria Theresa and her husband, Francis I. He was thus the first ruler in the Austrian dominions of the House of Lorraine, styled Habsburg-Lorraine (von Habsburg-Lothringen in German). Joseph was a proponent of enlightened absolutism; however, his commitment to modernizing reforms subsequently engendered significant opposition, which eventually culminated in an ultimate failure to fully implement his programmes. He has been ranked, with Catherine II of Russia and Frederick II of Prussia, as one of the three great Enlightenment monarchs. His policies are now known as Josephinism. He died sonless and was succeeded by his younger brother, Leopold.