Currencies/German kreutzer
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Introduction
The German Kreuzer was a coin and unit of currency widely used throughout the southern German states, Austria, and Switzerland from the 13th century until the unification of the German Empire (1871–1873). The name Kreuzer derives from the German word Kreuz (“cross”), referring to the early cross symbol stamped on the coin. For centuries, it served as one of the most common small-denomination coins in the Holy Roman Empire and its successor states.
History
The origin of the Kreuzer dates back to 1271, when it was first minted in Merano (modern South Tyrol) as a silver groschen-type coin. It quickly spread through southern Germany and became a standard currency for trade and taxation. By the 16th century, the Kreuzer had become central to the monetary system of the Holy Roman Empire.
In 1559, the Imperial Mint Ordinance (Reichsmünzordnung) established a standardized system setting the rate of
60 Kreuzer = 1 Gulden
This reform unified coinage among the southern German states and Austria, making the Kreuzer a key accounting and circulation unit for more than three centuries.
Under the Convention standard (Konventionsfuß) adopted in 1753, the Kreuzer’s value and silver content were further regulated, ensuring consistency between the coins of Austria, Bavaria, and other southern states. By the 19th century, most German states issued copper Kreuzer coins for everyday transactions, with silver issues reserved for higher denominations.
After the German Coinage Act of 1873, which introduced the Goldmark, the Kreuzer was officially withdrawn from circulation, ending over 600 years of use.
Coins
The Kreuzer appeared in numerous variations across time and territory, reflecting local rulers and minting standards.
Typical characteristics
Metal Silver (early); copper or bronze (later)
Value Fractions of a Gulden (most commonly 1⁄60)
Weight ~1 g (later issues)
Diameter 15–20 mm
Designs
Obverse Bust or arms of the ruling state or monarch
Reverse Denomination “KREUZER” and mint year
Notable examples
Austria (1816) 1 Kreuzer copper coin featuring Emperor Francis I.
Bavaria (1849) 3 Kreuzer silver issue bearing King Maximilian II’s portrait.
Baden (1859) 1 Kreuzer coin struck in Karlsruhe mint, showing the Grand Ducal coat of arms.
These coins were used for small purchases, local taxes, and market transactions, circulating widely across the German-speaking world.
Currency
Within the southern German and Austrian currency systems, the Kreuzer played a vital role as a base subdivision of larger denominations. Under the most common standard:
1 Gulden = 60 Kreuzer
In some northern states, a different “Reichskreuzer” system existed, where:
1 Reichsthaler = 90 Kreuzer
These regional differences reflected the fragmented nature of the Holy Roman Empire’s economy. Despite this, the Kreuzer remained a universal coin of daily exchange, accepted across multiple borders due to its reliability and familiarity.
Legacy
The Kreuzer stands as one of the longest-lived and most influential coins in Central European monetary history. It bridged medieval and modern coinage traditions, serving as a foundation for later systems such as the Gulden and, ultimately, the German Mark. Even after its withdrawal in the 1870s, the term Kreuzer persisted in popular speech as a symbol of modest value and thrift—similar to the English “penny.”
Today, Kreuzer coins remain popular among numismatists for their historical diversity, detailed minting, and role in illustrating the evolution of European money.