Catalog
See full images - free registration
Continue with Google - no registration!
or register with email
Why register? Just to keep bots out of our catalog. Your email stays private - we will never share it or send you anything uninvited. We guarantee you that!
12 Pfennig
| Issuer | Werne, City of |
|---|---|
| Year | 1602 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Copper |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Log in to see details |
| Orientation | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | The Roman numeral XII displayed prominently within an ornamented inner circle, denoting the denomination of twelve Pfennig. The Gothic initial W, representing the city of Werne, is placed above the numeral within the decorative frame. Foliate and scrollwork ornaments fill the surrounding field between the inner circle and the plain outer rim, lending a decorative character typical of Westphalian municipal copper issues of the period. |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Edge | Log in to see details |
| Mint | Log in to see details |
| Mintage | Log in to see details |
| Additional information |
Werne, a small Westphalian town on the Lippe river, struck copper Pfennig denominations under municipal authority during a period when small-change shortages plagued the Holy Roman Empire's regional markets. The right to issue such local copper coinage was jealously guarded by towns as a source of modest seigniorage revenue, and the practical need was real — silver groschen were habitually hoarded, leaving tradesmen without workable fractional currency.
The 12 Pfennig denomination is an awkward value that points to local accounting conventions rather than any imperial standard.