24 Kreuzer Kipper

Historical Context: The 24 Kreuzer Kipper of 1622 from the Imperial Free City of Rottweil exemplifies the "Kipper- und Wipperzeit" (1619-1623), a severe monetary crisis within the Holy Roman Empire during the early Thirty Years' War. Rottweil, like many German states, issued debased coins with drastically reduced silver content. This fiscal desperation, driven by war financing and economic exploitation, caused hyperinflation and widespread economic collapse.

Artistry: Artistic execution of this Kipper coin prioritizes rapid production over aesthetic refinement; a specific engraver is typically unrecorded. The design follows late Renaissance civic coinage conventions. The obverse commonly features the prominent crowned imperial eagle, symbolizing Rottweil's Imperial Free City status. The reverse displays the "24 KREUZER" denomination and the city's name, often within a simple cartouche, indicative of urgent, unrefined manufacture during the crisis.

Technical/Grading: Characteristic of Kipper coinage, this 24 Kreuzer frequently exhibits significant technical flaws. High points, like the eagle's breast, head, and crown, are often weakly struck or flat due to hurried minting and insufficient pressure. Planchet quality is typically poor, presenting irregular shapes, laminations, and cracks. The alloy is highly debased silver, often showing a coppery hue, and strikes can be off-center, contributing to a generally crude appearance.