1 Scherf

The Scherf — a fractional denomination struck across numerous north German territories in the fifteenth century — functioned at the absolute bottom of the silver coinage hierarchy, used for the smallest market transactions where even a Pfennig was too valuable to split. Brandenburg's issues from this period fall under the administration of the Hohenzollern margraves, who were consolidating monetary authority across their territories following the family's acquisition of the electorate in 1415. At 0.14 g, these pieces were so light that die alignment and flan preparation were almost incidental.