It's about a centimeter in diameter, I can barely make out the words on but it says something like "MAXIOSEPH KONIG...???" I think there's a crown on reverse with letters "MUNZ" on top right, everything else is very faded... Is this silver? Thanks in advance!
German States/Bavaria 0.7700 G/ 0.1870 Silver, .0046 oz. find me the date and I can tell you more about the value.
I've never heard of any 19th century European silver coin being of that low purity. Are you aware of any historical reason as to why this coin was struck in such low fineness?
Not specifically, these were low denomination coins. I suppose the same reason that some other European coins of this period were struck in billon, which is even lower silver purity than this coin. Swiss Cantons minors f0r example.
As the saying goes you certainly learn something new everyday. I'm going to have to take a closer look at the swiss minors you mentioned. Thanks for the information
i have one of those in my collection too. i also have an 1855 hannover coin tjat is tiny and low purity silver too. and i think i habe a similiar one from prussia around tje same period too
I can't exactly tell the date but it looks like 181? in the picture. Looking at it in person is even harder to see, the flash of the camera makes most parts of the coin stand out
Many reasons... Easiest is that the economy got better - way better - and it took less and less silver to buy the same goods and services as new goods entered the markets. The coins could only get so small. So, they were debased. More often, the local ruleers spent more than they took in in taxes, etc., and ran deficits. Rather than borrowing, they lowered the fineness of their coins over time little by little, more and more. After all, the rulers were the first users of coins: they were struck to buy things for the castle. So, it was a hidden tax, which inflation always is. In addition, coins have utility and mints cost money to operate. High-purity silver would be spent abroad from the closest neighbors to the farthest ports. That worked well for the English Penny, Genoa Florin, Venice Grosso, etc, which became trade coins, but for the little guys, it was a hassle. Debased coins stay home in local markets. You don't pay the mint to work. I have a 1/12 thaler 1846 from Hanover, about 20 mm or about the size of US nickel or between than an old UK six pence and shilling. According to K&M it is .521 fine. It says 168 to the fine mark. The books say a Mark of 7-1/2 oz.
