3 Kreuzers - Joachim Ernest
| Issuer | Brandenburg-Ansbach, Margraviate of |
|---|---|
| Year | 1622-1625 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | 3 Kreuzer (1⁄24) |
| Currency | Thaler |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 1.34 g |
| Diameter | 22 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | KM#27 |
| Obverse description | Eagle facing left with arms of the House Hohenzollern in a beaded circle. Legend around (starts 1h) for `Ioachim Ernestus Dei Gratia Margravius Brandeburgii Dux Prussiae Burgravius Nurmbergii` |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering | * IO·ER·D·G·MAR·BR·D·PRVS·B·N·1624 |
| Reverse description | Imperial orb with value, legend around (starts 1h) for `Moneta Nova Argentea Ad Imperii Legem Cusa` |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering |
MON·NO·ARG·AD·IMP·LEGE·CVSA· I R 3 (Translation: probably something like `New silver coin struck according to the law of the Empire`) |
| Edge | |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
1622 IR - - 1623 - - 1623 IR - - 1624 IR - - 1625 IR - - |
| Numisquare ID | 1021231470 |
| Additional information |
×
![]()
Historical Context: The 3 Kreuzers of Joachim Ernest (1622-1625) from Brandenburg-Ansbach is an artifact of the Thirty Years' War and the devastating "Kipper- und Wipperzeit" (1621-1623). As a Protestant Margrave, Joachim Ernest navigated extreme economic disruption. The urgent demand for currency to fund military efforts led to widespread debasement across the Holy Roman Empire. Struck at the crisis's peak, this coin exemplifies regional rulers' desperate attempts to provide circulating medium, sacrificing metallic purity for a war-torn economy.
Artistry: No specific engraver is identified for this utilitarian issue, reflecting period demands over artistic ambition. The style aligns with early 17th-century provincial German coinage: functional yet often crude. Obverses typically feature a simplified Margrave bust or monogram with titulature. Reverses display the Brandenburg-Ansbach arms—the Hohenzollern eagle quartered with dynastic shields—alongside denomination and date. Artistic refinement was sacrificed for rapid production, prioritizing essential information's legibility amidst wartime exigencies.
Technical/Grading: Due to modest silver (1.34 gg) and thin planchet (22 mm), this 3 Kreuzers frequently shows weak strikes, particularly on legends and fine heraldic elements. Key high points for grading include the definition of Joachim Ernest's bust (armored shoulders, facial features) and the clarity of the Hohenzollern eagle's feathers and shield lines on the reverse. Legibility of the date and denomination (3) is crucial. Planchet quality varies, with common flaws like minor cracks or irregular flan shapes, indicative of hurried wartime minting.