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elheron-grande · ‎08-25-2022

25 August 2022- Greetings to all coin collectors! (Note: this coin is NOT

for sale. This 'post' is to share the fun of coin collecting with other coin

collectors). This is a nice addition of a Silver coin as #622:

The coin: 26mm dia - Round - Silver - KM533 - Grades F+.

A note re grade: The coin grades F+ because of a small crack at edge.

Without the crack it would be VF.

Obverse: Crowned Coat of Arms of Brandenburg-Prussia.

Coat of Arms separates B H Mint Master initials.

B H = Minden Mint.

Legend: FRIDER III VGG MZB.

Frider = Frederick III (Fred was Margrave 1688 to 1701).

In 1701 Prussia was declared a Kingdom.

Reverse: 12

EINEN

REICHS

THALE

1689

Note: Thale = Thaler. This is a curious abbreviation and almost appears to be a situation where the engraver just 'ran outta room' and stopped

after engraving THALE. Interesting, somewhat. Heron doubts that this

abbreviation would make this an 'error coin'.

Note: This coin is NOT for sale.

Numista Rarity Index = 93.

This design with B H initials minted 1689, 90, 91, 93, and 95.

Rarity index of 93 indicates coin is somewhat scarce.

Note: Heron reported a Minden Bishopric coin as #401. However,

this 1/12th Thaler is a 'royal coin' issue.

798 - Minden first mention in document as Minda.

800 - Bishopric founded at Minden.

1180 - Minden became Prince Bishopric.

Note: this coin is NOT for sale.

1301 - Minden town received Town Rights.

1634- 30 Year War- Swedish Army occupies Minden.

1648- End of 30 Year War: Area given to Brandenburg-Prussia.

Note: On Wikipedia site 'Minden' there is a photo of a building

titled 'Old Mint'. We do not find a lot of Mint info and this

photo is quite interesting. It is a really old building.

Note: This coin is NOT for sale.

Note: The Weser River flows through the City of Minden.

Info Sources:

Numista.

NGC.

Wiki.

Mapcarta.

KM Catalog of German coins 1601 >.

**This Silver coin, even with cracked edge in one spot and Grading

only F+ is a super good 'find'. A 1/12 Thaler coin is about midway

in dia between a USA Quarter Dol. and USA Half Dol. A fairly good

amount of Money in 1689. Another nice 'find' whilst sheltering at

home from the Bat virus & Monkey Pox & common cold, etc.

No further orders have been received from the Gov. **

Note: This coin is NOT for sale.

*smedley* · ‎08-25-2022

i don't think i've ever owned a 17th century silver coin...

elheron-grande · ‎08-26-2022

That is a good point! During the 30 Years War (1618 to 1648) many coins

were issued in Copper or Billon. The use of Silver went way down because people would hoard the Silver. Copper & Billon were eventually accepted by the citizens because there was usually not any alternative. There was an increase in Silver coinage towards

the end of the 17th Century. However, finding one of these in better

than VF is not easy. And some of the larger Silver coins are expensive.

(One good thing about the 30 Years War: Because Copper was relatively low cost there were many Duchies, Principalities, Free Cities,

Counties, and Catholic entities minting Copper & Billon coins and this provides collectors with more different 'issuers' to collect). Heron will take a look at his 'have list' and perhaps we can find a 'ratio' of Silver to Copper & Billon for 17th Century.