Weißpfennig
The Weißpfennig (literally white penny; Latin - denarius albus) was a form of silver groschen that was circulated in the Holy Roman Empire in the Late Middle Ages. It was also known as an albus or a Rhenish groschen (rheinischer Groschen). It was minted from the second half of the 14th century onwards in the Lower Rhine region by the four Rhenish electors of the Holy Roman Empire, who set up a joint mint in 1385–86.
Weißpfennig
op unknown · Public domain
- Field
- coin
- Period
- 1360
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Documentary summary
The Weißpfennig (literally white penny; Latin - denarius albus) was a form of silver groschen that was circulated in the Holy Roman Empire in the Late Middle Ages. It was also known as an albus or a Rhenish groschen (rheinischer Groschen). It was minted from the second half of the 14th century onwards in the Lower Rhine region by the four Rhenish electors of the Holy Roman Empire, who set up a joint mint in 1385–86.
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Authority files
wikidata · Q1346428 · wikipedia · Weißpfennig
In this article
History
History
It was intended for everyday use, whilst the gold Rhenish gulden of the same era was intended as a trade coin. Those minted in Mainz were inscribed on one side 'Mainzer Rad' ("Mainz Wheel") and were also known as Raderalbus ("Wheel albus").
Archbishop Kuno of Trier and his nephew Archbishop Frederick of Köln had the Weißpfennig minted under the minting union (Münzverein) that they founded on 8 March 1372. The aim of this union was the minting of common gold and silver coins to a fixed fineness. The common gold coin was the gulden, which depicted Saint Peter on the obverse; the common silver coin was the Weißpfennig, which is first mentioned in a document in this treaty. The white appearance that gave the Weißpfennig its name was due to the high fineness attributed to the silver used.
Distribution
Distribution
Since the 'Rhenish Groschen' was very popular, it was widely used from Heidelberg on the southern border of the Palatinate lands to Moers on the Lower Rhine border and was coined by numerous Rhenish and Westphalian lords.
Chronology
Dated record
Chronology
Explore 1360–1798
The full dated record · 4 entries
1360
Weißpfennig first recorded.
1360
Weißpfennig is recorded from 1360.
1360
Weißpfennig was established or created in 1360.
1798
Weißpfennig was dissolved or ceased in 1798.
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Weißpfennig”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q1346428: Weißpfennig
Unverified · Wikidata
Citations
References
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reference work
Partially resolvedauthority record
Unverified
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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