1 Kreuzer

Augsburg's copper kreuzer issues of 1622 fall squarely within the Kipper- und Wipperzeit — the currency debasement crisis that swept the Holy Roman Empire between roughly 1618 and 1623, during which mints across Germany raced to produce debased and overvalued small coinage, flooding markets and triggering severe inflation. Free cities like Augsburg operated their own mints with considerable autonomy, and many used that independence aggressively during this period. Copper issues replaced silver ones as bullion was hoarded or exported. KM#A10 reflects exactly that moment of monetary emergency.