1 Kreuzer - Frederick II

Frederick II inherited Württemberg as a duchy in 1797 and spent much of the following decade maneuvering politically between Austria and Napoleonic France — a calculation that paid off in 1803 with significant territorial gains under the Reichsdeputationshauptschluss and ultimately elevation to kingdom in 1806. The small billon issues of 1798 belong to the last years before that transformation, struck under ducal authority that Frederick knew was provisional.

Billon composition at this denomination reflects chronic small-change shortages that plagued southwest German states throughout the late 18th century, with silver content kept minimal to preserve bullion for larger denominations.