© Emporium Hamburg
© Emporium Hamburg
1 Solidus - Friedrich and Wilhelm Kettler Mitau; type
| Billon | 0.96 g | 18 mm |
| Issuer | Duchy of Courland and Semigallia (Livonia) |
|---|---|
| Duke | Wilhelm Kettler (1587-1616) Friedrich Kettler (1587-1642) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1602-1611 |
| Value | 1 Schilling = 1⁄108 Thaler |
| Currency | Thaler (1586-1795) |
| Composition | Billon |
| Weight | 0.96 g |
| Diameter | 18 mm |
| Thickness | 0.7 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-06 |
| Numista | N#142656 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 92% |
Reverse
Lion surrounded by legend.
Script: Latin
Lettering: 05 · SOLIDVS · DVCVM · CVRL · & · S · 16
Translation:
Solidus Ducum Curlandiae Et Semigalliae
Schilling of the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia.
Edge
Plain
Comment
In 1596, Friedrich Kettler (1587-1642) and Wilhelm Kettler (1587-1616) split the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia, with Willhelm getting Courland and Friedrich getting Semigallia. While the coins of each Duke would have been minted for their respective areas, the schillings of Friedrich and Wilhelm are impossible to distinguish.The exact lettering of the surrounding legend may vary.
1604 (16 and 04 separated):
1) SIGIS · III · D · G · REX · POL · & · L · / 04 · SOLIDVS · DVCVM · CVRL · & · SE · 16
1604 (160 and 4 separated):
SIGIS · III · D · G · REX · POL · & · L · / 4 · SOLIDVS · DVCVM · CVRL · & · SE · 160
1605:
1) SIGIS · III · D · G · REX · POL · & · LI / 05 · SOLIDVS · DVCVM · CVRL · & · SE · 16
2) SIGIS · III · D · G · REX · POL · & · L / 05 · SOLIDVS · DVCVM · CVRL · & · S · 16
1606:
1) SIGIS · III · D · G · REX · POL · & · L / 06 · SOLIDVS · DVCVM · CVRLA · & · S · 16
1607:
1) SIGIS · III · D · G · REX · POL · & · L / 07 · SOLIDVS · DVCVM · CVRL · & · S · 16
1610:
1) SIG · III · D · G · REX · POL · & · L / 10 · SOLIDVS · DVCVM · CVRL · & · SE · 16
Before 1602, there were significant differences in the legends of the schillings.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it features the joint portraits of Friedrich and Wilhelm Kettler, who were the ruling dukes of Courland and Semigallia during that time. This coin was minted during their reign, which lasted from 1602 to 1611. The fact that it features both dukes on the same coin is a reflection of the unique political situation of the time, where two rulers shared power. Additionally, the coin's material, Billon, was a common alloy used in coinage during that era, but it's interesting to note that it's not a pure metal, but rather a mixture of metals, which makes it a unique aspect of this coin.
