Groschen

Metz occupied an awkward political position in the late 14th century — nominally part of the Holy Roman Empire but effectively self-governing, its civic coinage reflecting that autonomy in practice if not in law. The groschen series struck during this period coincided with sustained tension between the city's merchant patriciate and the Bishop of Metz, whose competing monetary authority the city was actively working to sideline. Municipal silver issues were one mechanism for asserting that independence.

Flon 518 is among the better-documented types from this civic series, though die-to-die variation within the issue is not negligible.