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1 Spitzgroschen - Moritz
| Issuer | Saxony (Albertinian Line), Electorate of |
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| Year | 1547-1553 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Shape | Round |
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| Obverse description | Central field displays the Saxon arms — a barry of ten or and sable with a crancelin (a bend of rue-crowns) overall — set within a beaded inner circle. The armorial shield is rendered in a late Gothic style typical of mid-16th-century Saxon coinage. The surrounding legend, separated by stops, reads MAURITIUS D.G. SAX[ON], identifying the issuer as Duke Moritz (Maurice) of Saxony by the grace of God. The inscription runs clockwise around the periphery of the coin. |
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| Obverse lettering | MO: D: G: SAX: ROM: IMP: ARCHIM: ET: EL: |
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| Additional information |
Moritz of Saxony acquired the Electoral dignity in 1547 through one of the more ruthless political calculations of the Reformation era — he sided with Emperor Charles V against the Schmalkaldic League, delivering his own cousin Johann Friedrich into captivity at Mühlberg. The Electorate transferred from the Ernestine to the Albertinian line as direct payment for that betrayal, and coinage issued under Moritz from 1547 onward carries the electoral title he had just seized.
The Spitzgroschen denomination takes its name from the pointed shape of the shield on the die — a detail that distinguishes Albertinian issues of this period within the broader Saxon groschen series.