© Warszawskie Centrum Numizmatyczne s.j.
© Warszawskie Centrum Numizmatyczne s.j.
1 Solidus - Friedrich and Wilhelm Kettler Mitau; type
| Billon | 0.85 g | 18 mm |
| Issuer | Duchy of Courland and Semigallia (Livonia) |
|---|---|
| Duke | Wilhelm Kettler (1587-1616) Friedrich Kettler (1587-1642) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1596-1601 |
| Value | 1 Schilling = 1⁄108 Thaler |
| Currency | Thaler (1586-1795) |
| Composition | Billon |
| Weight | 0.85 g |
| Diameter | 18 mm |
| Thickness | 0.7 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-06 |
| Numista | N#87564 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Lion surrounded by legend.
Script: Latin
Lettering: MONETA · DVCVM · CVRL · ET · SE ·
Translation:
Moneta (Argentea) Ducum Curlandiae Et Semigalliae
(Silver) coin 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.Coins from 1596 have the two last digits of the date separated by the monogram; all other years have the digits of the date located in the obverse legend.
The exact lettering of the surrounding legend may vary.
1596:
1) SOLI · DVCVM · CV · E · SE / MON · ARG · DVCVM · CV · E · SE
1600:
1) SOLIDVS · NOV · CVR · & · SE · 1600 / MONETA · DVCVM · CVR · ET · SE
1600 (missing 1 in date):
1) SOLIDVS · NOV · CVR · & · SE · 600 / MONETA · DVCVM · CVRL · ET · SEM
2) SOLIDVS · NOV · CVR · & · SE · 600 / MONETA · DVCVM · CVRL · ET · SE ·
3) SOLIDVS · NOV · CVR · & · SE · 600 / MONETA · DVCVM · CVRL · & · SE
4) SOLIDVS · NOV · CVR · & · SE · 600 / MONETA · DVCVM · CVR · ET · SE
After 1601, significant changes were made to the legends of the schillings.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it features the joint portrait of two rulers, Friedrich and Wilhelm Kettler, who were the dukes of Courland and Semigallia during its time. This coin was minted during their reign, which lasted from 1596 to 1601. The use of a joint portrait was a unique feature of this coin and reflected the close relationship between the two rulers.
