6 Mariengroschen - Ernest August I

Ernest August was elected Prince-Bishop of Osnabrück in 1661 under the terms of the Peace of Westphalia, which had established an unusual alternating succession between Catholic and Lutheran holders of the see — he was the first Lutheran incumbent under that arrangement. The Mariengroschen was a north German accounting denomination deeply embedded in Lower Saxon trade, and Osnabrück's issues from this decade reflect the bishopric's effort to maintain a credible local silver currency during a period of persistent debasement pressure from neighboring mints.

Welter 1853 is scarce in any grade. Most examples encountered show significant die fatigue on the reverse.