2 Thalers (Siege currency) 1610 front 2 Thalers (Siege currency) 1610 back
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2 Thalers Siege currency

1610 year
Silver - -
Description
Issuer
City under siege of Jülich (German States)
Period
War of the Jülich Succession (1609-1614)
Type
Standard circulation coin
Year
1610
Value
2 Thalers
Currency
Stüber
Composition
Silver
Shape
Octagonal (8-sided)
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-05
References
Numista
N#146870
Rarity index
100%

Reverse

Blank.

Comment

Struck during the one-month siege of the Jülich fortress.
Siege coins worth 1 to 20 talers were struck of silver, the largest piece 90 grams. Additionally, a 40 thaler gold coin was struck. The number indicates the value. R stands for Emperor Rudolf II and L stands for Archduke Leopold V.

Struck from silverware.

Interesting fact

One interesting fact about the 1610 Siege currency 2 Thalers coin from the City under siege of Jülich (German States) made of Silver is that it was minted during a time of great economic and political turmoil in Europe. The Thirty Years War, which lasted from 1618 to 1648, had caused widespread devastation and disruption to trade and commerce, leading to a shortage of coinage and the need for alternative forms of currency. The City of Jülich, which was under siege by Spanish forces, resorted to minting their own currency, known as "Siege currency," to facilitate trade and commerce within the city walls. The use of silver in the minting of these coins was a deliberate choice, as it was a valuable and widely accepted metal that was seen as a symbol of stability and wealth. Despite the difficult circumstances under which they were minted, these coins remain a fascinating piece of history and a testament to the resilience of the people of Jülich during a time of great adversity.