1 Groschen - William II Helmgroschen

William II ruled Hessen from 1493 until his death in 1509, a period during which the Helmgroschen — named for the helmet design — became the dominant small silver denomination circulating across central German territories. The type follows the groschen tradition that had spread through the Empire from the Bohemian grossus, adapted by regional lords into politically distinct local issues. Hessian groschen of this period are frequently encountered with die wear and irregular flans, a product of the relatively modest minting infrastructure at Kassel compared to the larger imperial mints.