GERMAN COIN SPOONS
The coin spoons in this exhibit are from the area which is now called Germany. During the time period when these coins were minted, individual territories and cities minted their own coins.
The coins are MUCH older than the spoons.These old coins were not 'collectibles' at that time and they did not have a monetary value significantly greater than the metal content when the spoons were made.
Age does not make a coin more or less valuable. Valuation is based upon rarity and collector interest
these coins are no longer collectible by numismatists as they have been soldered or bent
This caddy spoon has a Minerva head quality mark.
It also has British import marks for 1891.
It also has a '930' marking and what appears to be a German marking
The front and reverse of this silver 'Iohan Georg' coin are shown here
Johann Georg I. Elector, 1611-1656. AR Taler (44mm, 28.97 g, 11h). Dresden mint.
I found a number of variations of the Johan Georg 1 coin on the web. All of them are dated from the late 1590's to early 1625 era.
Some of these coins bear a date and some do not. The date on this one is quite indistinct but appears to be about 1606.
This is a picture of a better quality Saxon Taler - -but it is basically the same coin.
NOTE: Replicas of variations of this coin are often found on Dutch and German spoons. The replica's are of poorer quality.
This demi sized spoon also has a very old silver Johann Georg I. Saxon 1/4 taler (about 25% of a taler) coin used as the bowl
This coin is dated 1642
I also found a number of variations of this coin pictured on various websites.
These two coins have the same handle and I suspect that they were made by the same individual
However, in this case the bowls are Bavarian 30 kreuzers and are dated 1724 and 1731. I am not sure as to why the 1731 date is after Maximilian II death.
Front and reverse views shown
This is a better picture of the coin
Emanuel Maximilian II (1679-1726), 30 Kreuzer, draped bust of the king right, MAX EMA H I B C REX, rev., rampant lion holding sword and crowned arms, value in below, LAND MINZ (KM 150),
This spoon has a very nice hand worked stem with a coin at the finial and another one in the bowl
It bears Copenhagen manufacture marks and maker T.V. Enstrup
The Finial coin depicts Frederick IV of Denmark
A number of variations of these coins is also available. The finial is dated 1700 and the bowl date is 1739
Examples of variations in the finial coin
This twisty stemmed spoon has a finial engraved shield indicating that the spoon was made in Stendal (Germany)
The Design is very similar to many Swiss spoons which I have seen.
The large coin says 'constanter'
The reverse indicates it is a 24 marien grosch and the date is 170x (last number not readable)
A number of variations of the 'wild man' taler were made for almost 100 years and some are pictured on the web.
I could not find an exact picture of my variation of this coin.
Pictured are different versions of the 'wild man' coin
Both folklorists and cryptozoologists apply the term "wild men" to the European wild human.
We do not know if such men actually existed at this time in history or if this was just folklore.
This small demi sized spoon has a finial 6 grote coin from Bremer dated 1861.
Picture of a similar coin for 1857
This spoon also features an 1859 12 grote coin from Bremen at the finial
This is a 1/3 Taler Prussian coin from the era of Frederick the Great struck at the mint in Breslau and is dated 1773.
Note: this is a .666 fine silver coin that has been gold washed.
This 1753 Bavaria thaler features King Maximilian Joseph on the front and the back features the Madonna and Child
In 1750 the quality and size of these coins was reduced.
The monetary agreement between Austria and Bavaria in 1753 began the period of the Conventionsthaler, a Thaler set at 10 to equal one Cologne Mark of silver.
Its weight was 28.0g with a fineness of 833.0. Over time this coin spread into a large portion of central and southern Germany.
The full maned standing lion at the finial of this spoon is cast and is very heavy. The lion is used on the coat of arms of Bavaria.
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