Mainz (1475-76) groschen
This specimen was lot 4693 in Künker sale 386 (Osnabrück, March 2023), where it sold for €260 (about US$336 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"MAINZ, ERZBISTUM, Dietrich II. von Isenburg zu Büdingen zum 2. Mal, 1475-1482. Weißpfennig (Groschen) o. J. (1475-1476), Mainz. Mit Titel Electus. Büste des Hl. Petrus in gotischem Gehäuse über dem Wappen von Ysenburg//In Dreipaß das quadrierte Wappen Mainz/Ysenburg zwischen den Wappen von Köln, Trier und Bayern. Seltene Variante. Sehr schön +. Erworben von der Münzenhandlung Heinrich Pilartz, Köln. (archbishopric of Mainz, Dietrich II of Isenburg zu Büdingen for the second time, 1475-82, undated white penny, Mainz mint, with the title Electus. Obverse: bust of St. Peter in a Gothic case above the arms of Ysenburg; reverse: In trefoil the squared arms of Mainz and Ysenburg between the arms of Cologne, Trier and Bavaria. Rare variety, choice very fine. Acquired from the coin dealer Heinrich Pilartz, Cologne.)"
The Weißpfennig 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.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 1,92 g.
Catalog reference: Slg. Walther -; Slg. Pick 212; Pr. Alex. 175.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- [1]Künker, Fritz Rudolf, Horst-Rudiger Künker, Ulrich Künker and Andreas Kaiser, Katalog 386: Brakteaten | Mainz | Bibliothek Prof. Dr. Niklot Klüßendorf | Mittelalter und Neuzeit | Goldprägungen | Deutsche Münzen ab 1871, Osnabrück: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co., AG, 2023.
Link to:
- Mainz (1464) groschen = weißpfennig, Adolph II von Nassau
- Trier (1464) weisspfennig = groschen = albus
- Mainz (1464-65) goldgulden Fr-1628, Adolph II von Nassau
- Mainz (1477-82) groschen = weißpfennig, Dietrich II von Isenburg zu Büdingen
- Coins and currency dated 1475