1/2 Kreuzer - Maximilian III Joseph

Maximilian III Joseph inherited Bavaria in 1745 following his father's disastrous involvement in the War of the Austrian Succession, which left the electorate financially exhausted and its currency debased. The billon composition of this small fractional piece reflects exactly that fiscal strain — the electorate's silver supply had been severely depleted, and low-denomination coinage was struck with whatever alloy the mint could sustain.

Hahn 287 distinguishes this variety from later reworkings of the type issued under the same elector.