Cologne 1482 weisspfennig
This specimen was lot 686 in Jean Elsen sale 160 (Brussels, November 2024), where it sold for €600 (about US$760 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ALLEMAGNE, COLOGNE, Archevêché, Hermann IV, landgrave de Hesse (1480-1508), AR Blanken (double Weisspfennig), 1482, Deutz. D/ Châtel tournois au-dessus de l'écu incliné de l'archevêque. En lég. intérieure: TVRON'- TVICN'. R/ Croix pattée. En lég. intérieure: + AN' M CCCC LXXXII. Rare. Nettoyé. Petites taches. Très Beau. (Germany, archbishopric of Cologne, Herman IV, landgrave of Hesse, 1480-1508, silver blanken or white penny of 1482, Deutz mint. Obverse: castle of Tours above the inclined shield of the archbishop; reverse: cross pattée. Rare, cleaned, very fine.)"
The Weißpfennig or blanken was struck by the archbishops of Trier, Mainz and Cologne at Coblenz, starting in the late fourteenth century. It became popular because of its good alloy. It was eventually copied by numerous petty princes along the Rhine. The auctioneers called this a double weisspfennig but we think it is a single.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 2.69 g, silver, 28 mm diameter, this specimen is 2,85 g.
Catalog reference: Noss 478; Schulten 1605; Levinson I-178.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- Levinson, Robert, The Early Dated Coins of Europe, 1234-1500: An Illustrated Catalogue and Guide to dated medieval coinage. Clifton, NJ: Coin & Currency Institute, 2007.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 160, Collection de deniers liegeois et Collection de monnaies d'or francaises, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2024.
Link to:
- MCCCCXLVII weisspfennig
- Trier (1464) weisspfennig
- Mainz (1477-82) groschen = weißpfennig, Dietrich II von Isenburg zu Büdingen
- Cologne (1480-1508) goldgulden Fr-802, Hermann IV
- Coins and currency dated 1482