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12 Kreuzer - Frederick Ulrich Kipper
| Issuer | Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, Principality of |
|---|---|
| Year | 1621 |
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| Value | 12 Kreuzers (0.1) |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Central field dominated by the rampant lion of Brunswick, depicted passant-guardant with an open crown above, rendered in bold relief characteristic of Kipper-era emergency coinage. The lion faces right with a raised forepaw and a bifurcated tail, occupying the majority of the flan. A partial Latin legend surrounds the central device, though much of it is obscured by the irregular, clipped flan edge typical of this debasement period. The overall style is crude yet vigorous, consistent with the rapid hammered production of Kippermünzen circa 1621. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | The reverse displays a spread imperial double-headed eagle with wings displayed, bearing on its breast an orb inscribed with the denomination numeral 12, referencing the 12 Kreuzer face value. Above the eagle's heads appears an imperial crown, and the legend surrounding the field references Emperor Ferdinand II. The date 1621 is incorporated into the legend, split around the eagle, reading 16-21. The engraving is characteristic of the debased Kipper coinage, with a bold but roughly executed design on an irregular flan. |
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| Additional information |
Frederick Ulrich's administration of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel was, by most historical measures, a disaster — and this coin is a direct product of that dysfunction. The Kipper und Wipper crisis of 1619–1622 saw German princes systematically debase their coinage to extract seigniorage profit, flooding the Holy Roman Empire with lightweight, overvalued small denominations before the scheme collapsed under its own inflation. Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel was among the more aggressive participants. This 12 Kreuzer would have circulated well above its intrinsic silver value, then become nearly worthless once the bubble broke in 1622.