This thread is dedicated to the coins minted by the states which formed the German Confederation (Deutsche Bund) in the 19th. century. The German Confederation formally came into being in 1815 at the Congress of Vienna with the aim to co-ordinate the economies of 39 german-speaking states in Central Europe. It stood until 1866 and was a stepping stone to the formation of the of the German Empire in 1871. Further reading on the states which formed the Confederation can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Confederation The German Confederation 1815-1866: The Rulers of the States - Kings, Dukes, Counts meeting in Frankfurt in August of 1863: The coins minted by the various states was vast and varied: coins were minted in a variety of denominations and to various standards. Some of these coins, specially the minor coinage has always interested me, in particular those minted by the smaller states which comprised the Bund. Many of these are very scarce today and some extremely rare. However, they tend to only attract the attention of specialised collectors and are properly described and valued only in dedicated catalogues. I will start by posting a 3-Kreuzer piece of the Duchy of Nassau dated 1816. This unassuming little coin is actually a major rarity in the Nassau series. Far rarer than most of the major denominations like the Taler and Doppeltalers. It has only appeared at public auction twice since 1945. I had been looking for it literally for over 25 years, until an example appeared at auction late in 2018. It has a minor flan fault but default and all, I was not about to pass it up. You are welcome to post your German State coins of the 19th century. Only requirement is that it be dated 1800-1871.
I've acquired quite a few in the last year or two, but I've already sent them across the pond. I'm afraid I'll have to catch up on this thread down the road. Great thread
My favorite are the 2 thaler silver pieces; one of the few circulating coins with more than an ounce of silver.
Thanks for starting this thread. I have plenty to contribute. Brunswick Wolfenbuttel 1829 24 Mariengroschen
@TheGame, that Kreuzer 1840 seems quite nice. It is a one-year type with 480000 struck in Saalfeld with dies by G. Wiskemann.
@Chris B, that is a fantastic 24 Groschen! The type of coin german collectors pay a premium for given so many have been brightly cleaned. One of only 33750 struck in Braunschweig that year. Please go ahead and post as many of your 1800-1871 coins as you please. I am sure many here, including myself would like to see them.
@jgenn, that is a beautiful Franconia Doppeltaler! That is a type I am still missing in my collection.
I will post a few of my coins from Frankfurt. The City-View coins are specially nice. Here is a Doppeltaler and a 6-kreuzer piece showing the city as it appeared in the middle of the 19th. century.
Finding decent coins for this thread is harder than I thought because most of mine are pre-1800 but I will add some more shortly.
Frankfort 1841 2 Thaler. The scratch is on the slab. Frankfort 1863 Thaler. Not scarce but I love the obverse.
@Collect89 and @Steve66: thank you for posting your German State coins! @Chris B, I see that our tastes run alike. Out of the 3 different designs used for the Frankfurt Doppeltalers, my favourite has always been the one you posted. Attractive coin. Also, have you noticed the engravers attention for detail on your Gedenkthaler? you can even see people peering out of the windows.
Since we are on Frankfurt, I will post the remainder of my coins from the Free City of Frankfurt: 1/2 Gulden 1841: 2 Gulden 1848:
Taler from 1857 showing the Eschenheimer Turm. This is a tower and gate erected in the 15th century as part of the old city's fortifications. Gedenkthaler 1863 commemoration the 'Assembly of Princes" 1/2 Gulden 1862
The more I look at this coin, the more I agree. I shall have to put this and the city view on my wish list.