15 Kreuzers - Elisabeth Charlotte

Historical Context: This 1685 15 Kreuzers coin was issued under Elisabeth Charlotte (1640-1707), Princess of Nassau-Holzappel. She served as regent for her young son, Simon John, from 1676 to 1693, governing the small principality within the fragmented Holy Roman Empire. This issue, struck during her regency, underscores her active authority and the principality's assertion of sovereignty through coinage in an era of complex dynastic successions and territorial disputes in post-Thirty Years' War Germany.

Artistry: The design reflects the prevalent German Baroque numismatic style of the late 17th century. While the specific engraver is often unrecorded for smaller states like Nassau-Holzappel, the obverse likely features a bust of Elisabeth Charlotte, rendered with realism typical of the period's portraiture. The reverse displays the principality's intricate heraldry, including the Nassau lion and Holzappel apples, alongside the denomination and date. The 31mm diameter allowed for a substantial display of these intricate details.

Technical/Grading: For grading, key high-points on the obverse include the definition of Elisabeth Charlotte's hair, facial features, and drapery folds. On the reverse, attention should be paid to the sharpness of the heraldic elements, such as the lions' manes, crowns, and the clarity of the legend. As with many 17th-century German issues, strike quality can vary, often exhibiting areas of flatness, particularly on the highest relief points. Minor planchet irregularities are not uncommon, reflecting the minting technology.