Pfennig "Vierzipfliger" ND
| Silver | 0.22 g | 17 mm |
| Issuer | Counts of Habsburg-Laufenburg (Aargau) |
|---|---|
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1386-1408 |
| Value | 1 Pfennig |
| Currency | Pfennig (12th-15th century) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 0.22 g |
| Diameter | 17 mm |
| Shape | Round with 4 pinches |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-07 |
| Numista | N#187280 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Blank.
Comment
Likely minted by Rudolf IV of Habsburg-Laufenburg (1354-1383) or Johann IV of Habsburg-Laufenburg (1383-1408). The swan's neck is a reference to the House of Rapperswil to which the two counts also belonged.Attributed to different dates and denominations by different sources:
• "Schwanhälser" Vierzipfliger Pfennig minted in the second half of the 14th century [1];
• Hälbling minted after 1373 [2];
• Angster minted around 1390 [3];
• Pfennig [4, 7];
• Pfennig minted around 1400 [5];
• Rappen minted after the Rappenmünzbund of 1377 [6];
• Pfennig minted after 1373 [8].
References:
[1] #HMZ 1-127A in Jürg Richter, Ruedi Kunzmann - "Neuer HMZ-Katalog", 2011.
[2] #6 in Daniel Schmutz - "Ein unbekannter Hälbling der Grafschaft Habsburg-Laufenburg", Historisches Museum Aargau, 1997;
[3] #15:89 in Hans-Ulrich Geiger - "Quervergleiche: zur Typologie spätmittelalterlicher Pfennige.", Schwegler, 1991.
[4] #M15/8 in Classical Numismatic Auctions I, 1 May 1987.
[5] Tafel V.75 in Dr. H. Meyer - "Die Denare und Brakteaten der Schweiz, neue Bearbeitung. Mit 3 Münztafeln (IV—VI)", Zürich, 1858;
[6] #9 in Benedikt Zäch;
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the "Vierzipfliger" Pfennig coin is that it was issued by the Counts of Habsburg-Laufenburg, who were a powerful noble family in the region of Aargau in Switzerland during the 14th century. Despite being a small coin made of silver, it was widely used in trade and commerce during its time and remains a valuable collector's item for numismatists today.