Mints
| Name | Mark |
|---|---|
| Stolberg, Harz | — |
Mintings
| Year | Mint Mark | Mintage | Quality | Collection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1788 | — | — |
Historical background
In 1788, the currency situation in the small Thuringian counties of Stolberg-Stolberg and Stolberg-Rossla was complex and fragmented, reflecting the broader monetary disarray of the Holy Roman Empire. Both counties, while politically distinct under separate branches of the House of Stolberg, operated within an economic sphere dominated by their larger and more powerful neighbor, the Electorate of Saxony. Consequently, the Saxon Reichsthaler and its subdivisions (Groschen, Pfennige) served as the primary accounting and reference currency for larger transactions and state finances. However, the actual circulating medium was a chaotic mix of physical coins from various German states, alongside older, debased regional issues.
This circulation was governed by periodic Münzfuß ordinances, which set the value of foreign coins in local terms. The counties lacked their own significant minting authority, making them subject to monetary policies set elsewhere. A persistent practical problem was the shortage of high-quality, full-weight specie (like Saxon thalers), which tended to be hoarded or used for foreign trade. This led to a preponderance of lower-value, often underweight, small change in daily market use, creating constant difficulties for merchants and peasants in reconciling actual coinage with official account books kept in Reichsthaler.
The situation was further strained by the ongoing Kipper und Wipper crisis of the late 18th century, a period of currency manipulation and debasement by numerous German states. While the Stolberg counties themselves were not major perpetrators, they were vulnerable victims of inflationary waves caused by the flood of bad money from neighboring territories. This environment of monetary instability created uncertainty for commerce and taxation, highlighting the counties' limited economic sovereignty and their dependence on the volatile and decentralized imperial monetary system.
This circulation was governed by periodic Münzfuß ordinances, which set the value of foreign coins in local terms. The counties lacked their own significant minting authority, making them subject to monetary policies set elsewhere. A persistent practical problem was the shortage of high-quality, full-weight specie (like Saxon thalers), which tended to be hoarded or used for foreign trade. This led to a preponderance of lower-value, often underweight, small change in daily market use, creating constant difficulties for merchants and peasants in reconciling actual coinage with official account books kept in Reichsthaler.
The situation was further strained by the ongoing Kipper und Wipper crisis of the late 18th century, a period of currency manipulation and debasement by numerous German states. While the Stolberg counties themselves were not major perpetrators, they were vulnerable victims of inflationary waves caused by the flood of bad money from neighboring territories. This environment of monetary instability created uncertainty for commerce and taxation, highlighting the counties' limited economic sovereignty and their dependence on the volatile and decentralized imperial monetary system.
✨ Legendary