John IV von Manderscheid-Blankenheim held the Strasbourg episcopate during one of the most fractious periods in the city's confessional history — the so-called "Strasbourg Chapter Dispute" of the 1580s was already brewing during his tenure, a conflict between Catholic and Protestant cathedral canons that would eventually require armed intervention. This klippe format, struck on a square planchet rather than a round one, was almost certainly a presentation or ceremonial piece rather than intended for ordinary circulation. Such square strikings from minor German ecclesiastical mints of this period are typically associated with specific court occasions.
E&L#181 distinguishes this from the round issue; very few examples are recorded.
John IV von Manderscheid-Blankenheim held the Strasbourg episcopate during one of the most fractious periods in the city's confessional history — the so-called "Strasbourg Chapter Dispute" of the 1580s was already brewing during his tenure, a conflict between Catholic and Protestant cathedral canons that would eventually require armed intervention. This klippe format, struck on a square planchet rather than a round one, was almost certainly a presentation or ceremonial piece rather than intended for ordinary circulation. Such square strikings from minor German ecclesiastical mints of this period are typically associated with specific court occasions.
E&L#181 distinguishes this from the round issue; very few examples are recorded.