| Obverse description |
Crowned coat of arms of the house of Nassau with a crowned lion rampant to the left on a field sown with seven billets surrounded by the legend and an outer grenetis. |
| Obverse script |
Latin |
| Obverse lettering |
HERZOGL• NASS• SCHEIDE MÜNZ(•) |
| Reverse description |
Facial value and vintage in four lines, surrounded by a crown of oak and an external grenetis. The letter L, sign of the master coiner in the exergue. |
| Reverse script |
Latin |
| Reverse lettering |
1 ꟾ KREU= ꟾ =ZER(•) ꟾ 1808 ꟾ (L) |
| Edge |
Lettering: ///// |
| Mint |
|
| Mintage |
1808 - - 798 510
|
| Numisquare ID |
1046369410 |
Historical Context: The 1808 1 Kreuzer "Dickkreuzer" from the Duchy of Nassau originates from a turbulent Napoleonic era. Established in 1806, the Duchy consolidated Nassau-Usingen and Nassau-Weilburg, formed under French influence and as a member of the Confederation of the Rhine. Issued under the joint rule of Frederick August and Frederick William, this coin reflects the new state's assertion of monetary sovereignty during a period of significant geopolitical restructuring in fragmented Germany.
Artistry: Specific engraver attributions for base metal coinage of this period are rarely documented. The 1808 Dickkreuzer exemplifies the functional, late Neoclassical aesthetic common in minor German states. Its design, typically featuring a crowned monogram or coat of arms on the obverse and denomination/date on the reverse, prioritizes legibility and clear symbolism. The "Dickkreuzer" designation likely refers to a comparatively thicker flan or a robust, straightforward cross motif, emphasizing its utilitarian nature.
Technical/Grading: For this copper 1 Kreuzer (4.25 gg, 19.25 mm), key grading points center on the sharpness of central devices and legends. On the obverse, examine details of the crown and any intricacies within the ducal monogram or coat of arms. On the reverse, the clarity of the denomination "1 KREUZER" and the date "1808" are paramount. Given copper's susceptibility to wear and environmental damage, look for a strong strike, minimal planchet imperfections, and an absence of significant corrosion or pitting, which severely diminishes eye appeal and grade.