Catalogue
| Émetteur | Nassau-Holzappel, Principality of |
|---|---|
| Année | 1683-1686 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Valeur | 1 Kreuzer (1⁄60) |
| Devise | Thaler |
| Composition | Silver |
| Poids | |
| Diamètre | 15 mm |
| Épaisseur | |
| Forme | Round |
| Technique | |
| Orientation | |
| Graveur(s) | |
| En circulation jusqu’à | |
| Référence(s) | KM#11, Isenbeck#265 |
| Description de l’avers | Crowned shield of Holzappel arms (griffin). |
|---|---|
| Écriture de l’avers | Latin |
| Légende de l’avers | MON(E). NASS(A). HOLTZA(P)(P). |
| Description du revers | 5-line inscription with date and mintmaster`s initials in laurel wreath. |
| Écriture du revers | Latin |
| Légende du revers | I / KREU / TZER / 1683 / CB. |
| Tranche | |
| Atelier | |
| Tirage |
1683 CB - - 1684 CB - - 1685 CB - - 1686 CB - 1686/5 - |
| ID Numisquare | 1325987900 |
| Informations supplémentaires |
Historical Context: This 1 Kreuzer was issued during the regency of Elisabeth Charlotte (1640-1707) for her son Karl, Prince of Nassau-Holzappel, following her husband Adolf's death in 1676. Her rule saw the principality navigate the complex political landscape of the late 17th-century Holy Roman Empire. As a minor German state, Nassau-Holzappel's coinage served local commerce and declared sovereign authority, reflecting the fragmented nature of post-Thirty Years' War German territories. The 1683-1686 dates fall within a period of relative stability.
Artistry: Given the modest denomination and principality's scale, the engraver remains unrecorded, likely a local master. The design adheres to the provincial Baroque style common in smaller German states. The obverse typically features a simplified bust or monogram of Elisabeth Charlotte, often with her titles. The reverse displays the combined arms of Nassau-Holzappel—a crowned shield with the Nassau lion and Holzappel star or cross—alongside the denomination and date. The 15mm flan size necessitated a concise design, prioritizing legibility.
Technical/Grading: As a small silver issue, the 1 Kreuzer often exhibits characteristics common to minor coinage. High-points for wear or strike quality include the raised elements of the ruler's effigy (hair, diadem) and the heraldic devices (lion's mane, crown, shield charges). Strike quality can vary, with instances of weak strikes, particularly at the center, or slight off-centering due to contemporary production. The small flan size can also lead to incomplete legends or devices near the rim.