24 Kreuzer - John George

Hohenzollern-Hechingen gained the right to strike coinage following its elevation to a principality in 1623 — which creates an immediate problem for this piece dated 1621. Issues from this transitional window were struck under anticipatory or delegated authority, as the Hohenzollern counts aggressively expanded minting activity during the Kipper- und Wipperzeit, the currency debasement crisis of 1618–1623 in which dozens of minor German states flooded circulation with underweight silver fractions. John George was among the opportunists.