1 Duit - Ernest William

Historical Context: This 1 Duit copper coin was issued under Ernest William (Ernst Wilhelm), Count of Bentheim-Steinfurt, during a pivotal post-Westphalian Peace era (1662-1664). As a minor principality within the fragmented Holy Roman Empire, Bentheim-Steinfurt navigated complex political landscapes. The Duit, a low-denomination copper piece, served essential local economic functions, facilitating everyday transactions in a period of rebuilding and consolidation following the Thirty Years' War. Its issuance reflects the county's need for small change, often a characteristic of territories with limited access to precious metals or a desire to preserve them for higher denominations.

Artistry: For a low-denomination copper issue from a smaller German principality in the mid-17th century, specific engraver attribution is exceedingly rare, and no known signature or mintmaster mark is typically associated with these Bentheim-Steinfurt Duiten. The artistic style adheres to the prevailing utilitarian aesthetic of Late Renaissance/Early Baroque German coinage. Designs prioritize legibility of the ruler's monogram (often an intertwined 'EW'), the Bentheim arms (the swan), and the date, rather than elaborate artistic flourishes. The execution, likely by a local die-cutter, would have been competent but not necessarily innovative, reflecting the coin's practical purpose.

Technical/Grading: For the 1662-1664 Bentheim-Steinfurt 1 Duit, key high-points for grading include the raised elements of Count Ernest William's monogram on the obverse (e.g., the serifs and crossbars of the 'E' and 'W') and any crown detail above it. On the reverse, the details of the Bentheim swan within the shield, particularly its head and wing feathers, are crucial, as are the clarity of the surrounding legend and date. Due to the copper composition and low-denomination nature, these coins frequently exhibit weak strikes, planchet imperfections, and environmental damage, making well-struck examples with sharp details and minimal corrosion highly desirable.