Looking for coins contemporary with Martin Luther (1483-1546)

Discussion in 'World Coins' started by Dougmeister, May 12, 2016.

  1. Dougmeister

    Dougmeister Well-Known Member

    Without getting into the pros or cons of religion... Don't get my thread deleted.
    Keep it on topic, please. Thank you.

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    I am interested in picking up some coins that ML might have carried around in his pocket at some point during his lifetime.

    Can anyone provide me with some possibilities?

    I recently saw a Hungarian coin from that era, so that might work. Are there any Germanic State issues (since he was from Germany) that might be better candidates? There should be a few...

    Thanks.

    Some bullet points on his life:
    • 1483: Born in Eisleben, Saxony (part of the Holy Roman Empire)
    • 1484: Moved to Mansfeld (his dad held copper mine and smelter leases)
    • 1501: Entered the University of Erfurt
    • 1505: Entered a closed Augustinian cloister in Erfurt
    • 1508: Began teaching theology at the newly-founded University of Wittenberg
    • 1517: Writes a letter to his bishop; later becomes known as "The 95 Theses"
    • 1518: "95 Theses" translated and copied via the Gutenburg printing press
    • 1521: Excommunicated by Pope Leo X
     
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  3. chrsmat71

    chrsmat71 I LIKE TURTLES!

    my first thought was hungarian denar. or polish-lithuanian coins...they are plentiful and fairly cheap. here are a couple of bargain bin versions i have...

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  4. -jeffB

    -jeffB Greshams LEO Supporter

    This is relevant to my interests. I've only got our genealogy back to the 1700s, and a few from the 1600s, but nearly all of those branches originate in Germany. Pretty much all Lutheran, too.
     
  5. Siberian Man

    Siberian Man Senior Member

    Prussia.
    Half groshen 153(?).
     

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  6. swish513

    swish513 Penny & Cent Collector

    Jülich-Berg
    Schilling, 1512

    1512.jpg
     
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  7. chrisild

    chrisild Coin Collector

    In 2014/2015 there was an exhibition called "Reformatio in Nummis" at the Wartburg in Eisenach (where Luther lived "incognito" for a while and translated parts of the Bible), and the catalog shows quite a few coins and medals of course. One is a groschen from Saxony (not dated, 1520s), then there is a quarter taler (Saxony, 1539), a groschen from Brandenburg (n/d, early 16c). Several pieces featuring his "host" Frederick the Wise too ...

    Christian
     
  8. -jeffB

    -jeffB Greshams LEO Supporter

    I guess that's the one I'd be looking for, given that the state's name is also my surname... :)
     
  9. chrisild

    chrisild Coin Collector

    Here you go. From that catalog; the reference to the Künker auction is due to the fact that Künker sponsored the exhibition. :)

    Unrelated side note - in five years Germany will issue a commemorative €2 coin, the last one in the "German States" series. That one will be dedicated to Brandenburg ...

    brbgroschen.jpg
     
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