Thaler Coinage of the Pre Empire German States - Chapter 9 We spent the last 8 Chapters looking at the Thaler coinage of the pre Empire German States whose alphabetically listing began with the letter A. This chapter deals with Thaler coinage of the first German State beginning with the letter B for Baden. You may remember we had already looked at Baden's, coinage during the German Empire years (1871- 1908) when Pfennigs and Marks were the coin of the realm. We only focused on the silver coin denominations above 1 Mark and gold denominations of 10 and 20 Mark. Before we look at Baden's Thaler coinage, let's look at a map (courtesy of Wikipedia) of the German Empire to see the territory of Baden. Mind you, the Baden existing during its Thaler coinage years includes the reference Baden-Durlach whose territory would encompass more area than this map shows, but you will know it was extensive and was situated in the vicinity shown on this map: MAP OF THE FREE STATE OF BADEN WITHININ THE GERMAN EMPIRE Here's a glimpse of the history of Baden: After the breakup of Swabia, Baden became a margraviate in 1112. Elevated to Duchy in 1806. Under Swedish occupation 1832-1835 Annexed to Barvaria in late 1835 Joined South German States in 1771. Elevated to Electorate in 1803. Became a Grand Duchy in 1806. Remained a Free State within the German Empire (1871-1908). As we turn to the Thaler coinage of Baden we learn about two new denominations in use: KREUZER GULDEN In 1559 a value of 60 Kreuzer to 1 gulden had been adopted throughout the Southern states of the Holy Roman Empire. The Kreuzer in turn was worth about 4.2 Pfennig, or pennies. Thus one (golden) Gulden was worth 60 Kreuzer, or 252 Pfennig. Later the Southern Currency Union adopted a standard relationship of 240 Pfennig = 60 Kreuzer = 1 Gulden. The South German Currency Union of 1837 devised a system of 60 Kreuzer = 1 Gulden and 1¾ Gulden = 1 Thaler, thus 105 Kreuzer equaled 1 Thaler. These Kreuzer continued in circulation until 1 year after decimalization, following German unification (1871). Mind you, fractionals of 1/4 and 1/2 Kreuzers along with multiple Kreuzer denominations (3, 6 12, etc.) were minted. Here's a photo of a 1/2 Kreuzer (World Coin Gallery photo): BADEN 1866 1/2 KREUZER (1859-1871 Following photos courtesy of World Coin Gallery): Here's an 1 Kreuzer: BADEN 1851 1 KREUZER - (1847-1852) Take time to look at this 1 Kreuzer: BADEN 1856 1 KRUEZER BADEN 1 KREUZER (1859-1871) And here's a 1 Kreuzer circulation coin commemorating 50 Years of Baden's Constitution: BADEN 1868 1 KREUZER - BADEN CONSTITUTION COMMEMORATIVE In 1871, just before unification under the German Empire Baden issued the following 2 War Commemorative Kreuzer: BADEN 1871 1 KREUZER - VICTORY OVER FRANCE COMMEMORATIVE BADEN 1871 1 KREUZER - WAR VICTORY COMMEMORATIVE Photo of silver 3 Kreuzer: BADEN 1870 SILVER 3 KREUZER (1866-1871) Here's a photo of a silver 1 Gulden: BADEN 1837 SILVER 1 GULDEN (1837-1841) Following photos courtesy of Coin Archives unless noted otherwise. Here's a series of Konventionsthaler coins issued under the leadership of Karl Friedrich:BADEN 1764 SILVER KONVENTIONSTHALER - KARL FRIEDRICH BADEN 1772 SILVER KONVENTIONSTHALER - KARL FRIEDRICH BADEN 1803 SILVER KONVENTIONSTHALER - KARL FRIEDRICH The following are Kronenthaler issued under Karl Ludwig Friedrich's leadership: BADEN 1813 SILVER KRONENTHALER - KARL LUDWIG FRIEDRICH 1819 SILVER KRONENTHALER - KARL LUDWIG FRIEDRICH Karl Ludwig Friedrich ruled from 1818-1830. This Kronenthaler was minted one year before his demise (1829). It bears three denominations on its reverse: EINE THALER 100 KREUZER KRONENTHALER BADEN 1829 KRONENTHALER - KARL LUDWIG FRIEDRICH Karl Leopold Friedrich inherited the Duchy and was Duke from 1830-1852. This Kronenthaler was struck in 1831 featuring his likeness on the obverse: BADEN 1831 SILVER KRONENTHALER - KARL LEOPOLD FRIEDRICH This Kronenthaler was struck during 1832, the first year of Swedish occupation and is referred to as a Familie Kronenthaler in that its reverse bears tributes to Sophia Grosherzogin von Baden and the Swedish Royalty Gustav IV. Adolph, Alexandrine, Ludwig, Friedrich and Wilhelm. BADEN 1832 SILVER KRONENTHALER - SWEDISH OCCUPATION FAMILIE KRONENTHALER - KARL LEOPOLD FRIEDRICH In the third year of Swedish occupation (1834) this Kronenthaler was struck: BADEN 1834 SILVER KRONENTHALER - SWEDISH OCCUPATION The first year after Swedish occupation (1836) two different Kronenthalers were struck featuring Karl Leopold Friedrich on the obverses.: BADEN 1836 KRONENTHALER - KARL LEOPOLD FRIEDRICH The other Kronenthaler issued in 1836 honored Volker Heil on its reverse: BADEN 1836 SILVER KRONENTHALER - HONORS VOLKER HEIL While Friedrich I served as Prince and Regent of Baden, this Vereinsthaler was issued (1858): BADEN 1858 SILVER VEREINSTHALER - FRIEDRICH I This silver coin from Baden bearing the date 1841 is a Vereinsdopplethaler which has two denominations on it (3 1/2 Gulden and 2 Thaler). Take a look: BADEN 1841 SILVER VEREINSDOPPLETHALER - KARL LEOPOLD FRIEDRICH Here's an unusual Vereinsdopplethaler commemorating Carl-Friedrich-Denkmal by placing an artist's rendition of a statue of Denkmal on its reverse: BADEN 1844 SILVER VEREINSDOPPLETHALER - DENKMAL STATUE This 1852 Vereinsdoppelthaler was issued while Karl Leopold Friedrich governed Baden: BADEN 1852 SILVER VEREINSDOPPELTHALER - KARL LEOPOLD FRIEDRICH 1854 saw two changes in its Vereinsdoppelthaler coins (Friedrich I became Prince and Regent and F.MARK reappeared on the coins' reverses) BADEN 1854 SILVER VEREINSDOPPELTHALER - FRIEDRICH I When looking at this coin remember that Doppel translates to Double in English so the denomination is Zwei Gulden (2 Gulden): BADEN 1825 DOPPELGULDEN - KARL LUDWIG FRIEDRICH In 1846 this Dopplegulden was issued: BADEN 1846 SILVER DOPPELGULDEN - KARL LEOPOLD FRIEDRICH 1856 saw this Doppelgulden minted with Prince Friedrich I on its obverse: BADEN 1856 DOPPELGULDEN - PRINCE FRIEDRICH I Hope you enjoyed this chapter. To be continued... Clinker
