William of Baden-Baden issued this heavy double thaler during one of the most destructive phases of the Thirty Years' War, when the Margraviate was being overrun repeatedly by opposing forces. The territory changed hands between Catholic and Protestant occupiers multiple times through the 1620s, and minting activity was erratic at best. A coin of this weight and silver content in 1629 was less a practical instrument of commerce than a political signal — proof the margravial treasury still functioned, however tenuously.
The Wielandt reference places this among a tightly documented local series. Surviving examples in any condition are infrequent; the margraviate's mint output in this period was never large.
William of Baden-Baden issued this heavy double thaler during one of the most destructive phases of the Thirty Years' War, when the Margraviate was being overrun repeatedly by opposing forces. The territory changed hands between Catholic and Protestant occupiers multiple times through the 1620s, and minting activity was erratic at best. A coin of this weight and silver content in 1629 was less a practical instrument of commerce than a political signal — proof the margravial treasury still functioned, however tenuously.
The Wielandt reference places this among a tightly documented local series. Surviving examples in any condition are infrequent; the margraviate's mint output in this period was never large.