Basic coin weight
A basic coin weight is a calculated reference value for the coinage. In connection with the coin base , the basic coin weight indicates how many coins should be minted from a basic coin weight.
Development of the basic weight of coins in Germany
Cologne mark
The most common basic coin weight from the Middle Ages to the 19th century in Central Europe was the Cologne mark of approx. 234 grams of silver. Silver coins of different weights were minted from this Cologne mark. If thalers were minted in the 10 thaler foot from the Cologne mark, the thaler contained approx. 23.4 grams of silver (10 thalers out of 234 grams). In the German states at the beginning of 1834 talers were sold in the 12 thaler foot (19.5 grams of silver in the thaler), in the 13½ thaler foot (17.5 grams of silver in the thaler), in the 14 thaler foot (16.7 grams of silver in the Taler), in the 18½-Talerfuß (12.6 grams of silver in the Taler), in the 24-, later in the 24½-Guldenfuß (9.5 grams of silver in the Gulden) and in the 34-Markfuß (6.9 grams of silver in the Mark) embossed. In each case, it was the fine silver content. This means that the total weight of these coins could be higher due to the addition of copper in particular. For their curant value, which corresponded to their real value, the only thing that mattered was the fine silver content, which resulted from the interaction between the basic weight of the coin and the base of the coin. The exact weight of the Cologne mark could vary slightly from region to region. Through the Dresden Coin Treaty, the Prussian specification of 233.855 grams became the binding basic coin weight for the contracting states. From this basic coin weight, thalers and guilders were only allowed to be minted in 14 thaler feet or 24½ gulden feet. The Prussian definition of the Cologne mark corresponded to exactly half the Prussian pound in the general weight system.
Inch pound
The Vienna Mint Treaty of 1857 was intended to develop the basic weight and base of the coin in the direction of the decimal system. Instead of the Cologne mark, the "Zollpfund" of the German Customs Union of 500 grams was set as the basic coin weight. Since at the same time the 14 thaler foot was replaced by a 30 thaler foot, not much changed in the silver content of the thaler. The fine silver weight of the thaler fell from a theoretical 16.704 to 16.667 grams. This weight reduction remained theoretical because the difference was within the manufacturing tolerances customary at the time.
literature
- Arnold / Küthmann / Steinhilber: Large German coin catalog from 1800 to today . Battenberg Verlag, Regenstauf, pp. 7 and 9, 32nd edition 2017, ISBN 978-3-86646-131-4