Archbishopric of Riga

Wilhelm, Markgraf von Brandenburg,
1539-1563

Wilhelm, family shield

During the period of Wilhelm the full scale of denominations were introduced, including gold coins. Besides the ordinary pfennig and schilling, were struck also 2 schillings, ferding, 1/2 mark and thaler. In 1553 the silver content in ferdings, 1/2 marks and marks was reduced from 930 to 578 fineness, but in 1561 was reduced to 531 fineness. The relation between denominations had a forced rate: after 1553 ferding = 9 schillings, having the new, reduced silver content. Such a forced relations were due to the upcoming Livonia War. During the first phase of the Livonia War also the necessity money, uniface thaler (silver gulden) and gold guldenwas struck, but they were not in accordance with the mintage regulations of the Livonia Confederation.
Wilhelm continued to reside in Koknese until 1547, when he returned back to Riga. The Archbishopric of Riga was officially dissolved in 1561, but Wilhelm continued the coinage until 1563.
Mints: Koknese (Kokenhausen) 1540-1546, Riga 1547-1563.
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PFENNIG

Pfennig, 1561
Data: Ag, 0.40 g, 12.0 mm
Description: Obv: The family shield of Wilhelm. Cross above, 4 stars at the sides. Dotted circle around.
Rev: Date 6 1, divided by the small coat of arms of Riga city. Dotted circle around.
Coinage: ND(1560-1563), 1561
References: Hal/97.454, 455; Fed.389

SCHILLING

Type I

Schilling, 1540
Data: Ag 187.5, 0.85-0.95 g, 18.0 mm
Description: Obv: Eagle with the family shield of Wilhelm on the chest.
Legend around: +GVILHELM.D.G.AR.P.RI.MA
Rev: Shield divided into 2 fields with the coat of arms of the Archbishopric and Riga domcapital. Date 4 0 divided by the coat of arms of Riga domcapital.
Legend around: +TVA EST POTENCIA TV.RE.D
Coinage: ND(1540-1544), 1540-1544
References: Hal/97.439-443, 452; Fed.365-373
Note: At least 2 legend and detail varieties known for this type.

Type II

Data: Ag 187.5, 0.85-0.95 g, 18.0 mm
Description: Obv: Eagle with the family shield of Wilhelm on the chest.
Legend around: *GVILM.D.AR.P.RI.MA.45
Rev: Shield divided into 2 fields with the coat of arms of the Archbishopric and Riga domcapital.
Legend around: *TVA.EST.POTENCIA.TV.RE.D
Coinage: 1545-1548
References: Hal/97.444-447; Fed.374-376, 379-382

Type III

Schilling, 1563
Data: Ag 187.5, 0.85-0.95 g, 18.0 mm
Description: Obv: Eagle with the family shield of Wilhelm on the chest.
Legend around: GVILHELM*D*G*A*E*RI
Rev: Date 6 3 divided by the small coat of arms of Riga city.
Legend around: *MONETA*NOVA*RIGE
Coinage: ND(1560-1563), 1560-1563
References: Hal/97.448-451, 453; Fed.386, 388, 391, 394
Note: At least 2 legend and detail varieties known for this type.

2 SCHILLINGS

2 Schillings, 1563
Data: Ag 187.5, 1.71 g, 21.0 mm
Description: Obv: Eagle with the family shield of Wilhelm on the chest.
Legend around: *GVILHELM*D*G*AR*EP*RIGE:
Rev: Date 6 3 divided by the big coat of arms of Riga city.
Legend around: MONETA*NOVA*RIGENIS
Coinage: 1563
References: Hal/97.438; Fed.393
Note: Some collectors classify this coin as another type of ferding. But 2 schillings are more thin and have less weight.

FERDING

Ferding, 1563
Data: Ag 930, 531, 2.61-2.80 g, 22.0-23.0 mm
Description: Obv: The big coat of arms of Wilhelm.
Legend around: *GVILHELM*D*G E*RIGE*M*BRA
Rev: The small coat of arms of Riga city within ornamented shield.
Legend around: *MONETA*NO*RIGENSIS*63
Coinage: 1547, 1561-1563
References: Hal/97.434-437, Fed.378, 387, 390, 392, 396

1/2 MARK

Data: Ag 930
Description: Obv:
Rev:
Coinage: 1547
References: Hal/97.433; Fed.377
Note: There is lack of information on this coin so far.

THALER

Thaler, 1559
Data: Ag 875, 28.0 g, 40.0 mm
Description: Obv: Bust of Wilhelm right.
Legend around: :GVILHELMVS*D*G*ARCI EPISCPOPVS RIGEN
Rev: The big coat of arms of Wilhelm.
Legend around: :MARCHIO*BRAND ENBORG.G.Z.ANNO.1559
Coinage: 1559
References: Hal/97.432; Fed.385

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The necessity money of the Livonia War

THALER (uniface)

Data: Ag 875, 32.0-34.0 g, 40.0-42.0 mm
Description: Obv: The big coat of arms of Wilhelm.
Rev: Plain.
Coinage: 1558
References: Hal/97.431; Fed.383

GULDEN

Gulden, 1559
Data: Au 937,5
Description: Obv: Bust of Wilhelm right on ornamented background.
Legend around: *GVILHELMVS*D*G*ARCI*EPISCPOPVS RIGEN
Rev: The big coat of arms of Wilhelm.
Legend around: .MARCHIO*BRANDE NBORG.Z.ANO.1.5.5.9
Coinage: 1558, 1559
References: Hal/97.429, 430; Fed.384

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