Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation - Currency Collection (6 Coins)

Six originals, four centuries: currency from the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation

The Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation was not a state with a single currency. It consisted of numerous principalities, duchies, bishoprics and free cities – and almost anyone of standing minted their own coinage. This collection brings six of these minting authorities into your home. No medals, no restrikes: you receive six genuine historical silver coins that people actually used to make payments between the 14th and 18th centuries.

From the medieval hollow penny, barely heavier than a sheet of paper, to the broad prince's groschen of a knight from the Hundred Years' War. From the silver mines of Tyrol, through the rebellious Allgäu region, to the Danube, where the Perpetual Imperial Diet convened. Six pieces, six regions, one empire.

The contents of the collection – told chronologically

1. Silver Prince's Groschen Balthasar of Thuringia (approx. 2.85 g): Landgrave Balthasar of the House of Wettin fought alongside the English King Edward III in the Hundred Years' War and was knighted in 1369. From 1393 onward, he had his prince's groschen minted in Freiberg and in the purpose-built Sangerhausen. The coin design shows the rearing Meissen lion on one side and the lily cross in a quatrefoil on the other. Minting ended with his death at Wartburg Castle in 1406.
2. Silver hollow penny "Boar with Tusks" (approx. 0.2 g): Trade currency from medieval Silesia, 14th to 15th century. It was struck on only one side of an extremely thin silver sheet – the design therefore appears in hollow relief on the reverse. The boar's head refers to the trading town of Schweidnitz.
3. Silver Kreuzer Duchy of Tyrol (approx. 0.7 g): Duke Sigismund of the House of Habsburg, known as "the Rich in Coin", moved the Tyrolean mint from Merano to Hall in the Inn Valley in 1477 – close to the productive silver mines of Schwaz. The double cross, from which the Kreuzer derives its name, defines the design of this denomination.
4. 1/2 Batzen silver Imperial City of Kempten (approx. 2 g): Minted between 1511 and 1533, right in the midst of the Peasants' War and the Reformation. The crowned double-headed eagle bearing the shield letter "K" stands for Campidona, i.e. Kempten. In 1525, the citizens bought out their prince-abbot's remaining rights in the city in the "Great Purchase" – Kempten was free.
5. 2 Kreuzer silver Electorate of Bavaria (approx. 1 g): Currency from the Thirty Years' War, minted from 1623. In that year, Maximilian I received the electoral title. The coin features the Wittelsbach diamond shield, the imperial orb with its denomination, and the motto SOLI DEO GLORIA – "To God alone the glory".
6. Silver 1 Kreuzer Free Imperial City of Regensburg (approx. 0.75 g): The crossed keys of Saint Peter represent the cathedral city, accompanied by the imperial double-headed eagle bearing the denomination 1 on its chest. This Kreuzer was minted from 1623 to 1753, in the city where the Perpetual Imperial Diet convened from 1663 to 1806.

Together, the six coins weigh around 7.5 g in gross weight. Doesn't sound like much? In terms of history, it's a great deal.

Groschen, Batzen, Kreuzer, Pfennig: the small change of the Old Empire

Anyone holding this collection quickly understands why travellers in the Middle Ages and early modern period constantly needed money changers. The groschen in this collection originates from the Meissen-Thuringian region, the Batzen from the south, and the Kreuzer has its roots in Tyrol. In southern Germany, four Kreuzer equalled one Batzen, and sixty Kreuzer equalled one guilder. And the penny? It circulated as a small denomination almost everywhere, sometimes struck on both sides, sometimes as a one-sided hollow penny.

It is precisely this diversity that makes the collection so instructive. It shows not only coats of arms and rulers, but an entire monetary system that functioned for centuries. There was no central bank – payment was made with the silver itself.

On condition: circulated currency with a biography

As already explained for the individual items: these pieces are circulated currency – and they look it. Darker patina, individual centring, small nicks, wear, and in places weaker legend details: these are not flaws, but biography. Every trace stems from hands that, centuries ago, used these coins to settle goods, freight or debts.

Since the minting year, mint, and reverse variant can differ, the piece delivered may differ from the image shown. Please understand the photo in the shop explicitly as a sample image: appearance, exact weight and condition vary from piece to piece for historical reasons. The fineness, too, follows no modern standard but rather the minting standard of its time. You are acquiring an original – not a restrike, not a copy.

Gold is humanity's oldest currency and has outlived all others. Silver has always stood by its side as the money of everyday life. The empire that produced these six coins has been history since 1806 – its silver still lies in your hand today.

Why historical silver appeals to collectors and investors alike

For centuries, silver was the monetary metal of ordinary people, while gold secured the great fortunes. Both precious metals have outlasted currency reforms, wars and the collapse of entire empires. A collection like this therefore combines two motives that rarely coincide so clearly: the joy of history and the desire for a tangible asset.

• Preservation of value across generations: silver does not spoil, it develops a patina – and can be passed down within the family.
• Inflation hedge: as a scarce, physical tangible asset, silver has traditionally served to protect purchasing power.
• Scarcity: small denominations were worn down, lost, or ended up in the melting pot. Anyone wanting to assemble all six types individually today needs patience.
• Tax framework: profits from the sale of physical precious metals in Germany are generally tax-free, provided the minimum holding period of one year is observed.

Collection or individual piece? An honest comparison

All six coins are also available individually from us. The collection saves you the search and combines the pieces into a narrative spanning from the late Middle Ages to the Baroque era. Naturally, it cannot compete with modern bullion coins like the Vienna Philharmonic or the Maple Leaf in terms of fine silver content. Those seeking pure metal weight should opt for the ounce. Those wanting to hold history in their hands should choose this. Both complement each other perfectly.

For newcomers to numismatics, the collection is an ideal entry point; for experienced collectors, it is a fitting addition to Old German and medieval holdings. And as a gift? Six coins once held by knights, farmers, electors and merchants tell more than any greeting card. Shipping is carried out as insured value shipping.