Rechenpfennig with French Arms of Hans Krawinckel ND (1586-1635) front Rechenpfennig with French Arms of Hans Krawinckel ND (1586-1635) back
Rechenpfennig with French Arms of Hans Krawinckel ND (1586-1635) photo
© iNumis

Rechenpfennig with French Arms of Hans Krawinckel ND

 
Copper 5.52 g 29 mm
Description
Location
Free imperial city of Nuremberg (German States)
Type
Utility items › Counter tokens
Years
1586-1635
Value
1 Pfennig (0.01)
Composition
Copper
Weight
5.52 g
Diameter
29 mm
Shape
Round
Orientation
Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-11-14
References
Numista
N#57106
Rarity index
94%

Reverse

A fleur-de-lis cross flanked by two coronets and two trefoils.

Script: Latin

Lettering: HANS* KRAVWINCKEL* RECHEN* PFENI

Engraver: Hans Krauwinckel II

Comment

Hans Krauwinckel and his son of the same name struck a great deal of beautiful tokens over the period of their lifetimes in the late renaissance period.

While the pieces are not coins, they are a form of tokens or jetons known as 'Rechenpfennige', or 'counting money', implying that they were used in place of valuable coins to assist in accounting.

They were struck by:
Hans Krauwinckel I (from 1562 to 1586)
Damian Krauwinckel, Hans' brother (from 1543 to 1581)
Hans Krauwinckel II, Hans' son (from 1586 to 1635)

Many designs are known, and materials ranging from copper to brass, sometimes silvered or gilded, with the value mostly depending on the condition of the jeton. Cody's piece is know as a 'Markuspfennig', while another more common design has an orb in a trilobe on one side, and a rosette surrounded by three crowns and three fleur-de-lis on the other side.
http://coinquest.com/cgi-bin/cq/coins?main_coin=15890