1 Groschen Tournois

Historical Context: This 1 Groschen Tournois was issued by the Free Imperial City of Frankfurt between 1522 and 1525, a pivotal era within the Holy Roman Empire. Under Emperor Charles V, Frankfurt, a vital trade and coronation city, navigated the early Reformation. The minting of this denomination underscores its robust economic activity and integration into broader European monetary systems, with the "Tournois" appellation reflecting influence from prevalent French coinage types in international commerce.

Artistry: The engraver remains anonymous, typical for this era. The design adheres to the German Renaissance stylistic school, prioritizing heraldic devices over portraiture for such denominations. The obverse likely features the imperial double-headed eagle, symbolizing Frankfurt's Free Imperial City status. The reverse typically displays a large cross, often with small elements or the city's initial in the angles, a characteristic of the Tournois type, emphasizing its role as a practical circulating medium.

Technical/Grading: As a hand-hammered coin from the early 16th century, strike quality varies. High-points for wear and strike include the eagle's heads and wing tips on the obverse, and the cross's center and arm ends on the reverse. Inscriptions, often Gothic, can show weakness, particularly towards the edges. Common technical characteristics include irregular planchet shape, minor off-center strikes, and areas of flatness due to uneven striking pressure, reflecting the utilitarian nature of this widely circulated silver denomination.