MATTHIER: COIN OF HILDESHEIM
Matthier, 1593: City of Hildesheim (German States)
Ruler: Rudolf II — Holy Roman Emperor (1576-1612).
EIN MATTHIER 93: one matthier, 1593.
Globus cruciger (cross above the globe) as a symbol of the power of the monarch, a Christian symbol of authority. The inscription "1/2" (1/z) inside the globus cruciger (probably refers to the equality of matthier to half of the mariengroschen).
MO: NO: REIP: HILD: (MONETA NOVA REIPVBLIC HILDESHEIM): new currency (coin) of the community of Hildesheim.
Heraldic shield from the coat of arms of Hildesheim.
- Silver: 19 mm - 1.19 g
- Reference price: 5$
COIN MATTHIER — WHERE & WHEN (coins catalog: by names & emitents)
- GERMAN STATES, 16th-18th centuries (Bishopric of Hildesheim, Landgraviate of Hesse-Cassel, City of Goslar, Abbey of Corvey, Earldom of Lippe, County of Regenstein, Principality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel...): matthier (including mattier and matier) = 4 pfennig = 1/2 mariengroschen
MATTHIER as coin name.
Matthier — rather rare German coin that was issued mainly during the 16-18 centuries. It was equal to 1/2 mariengroschen or 4 pfennig.
The first coins of this type appeared at the end of the 15th century in Goslar (Lower Saxony) under the name matthiasgroschen. Later, the coin spread to the surrounding lands. The denomination was noted as MATTIER or as MATIER (numismatic sources also widely use the spelling MATTHIER).
The existence of coins of the mentioned types of the following German issuers is known: Bishopric of Hildesheim, City of Goslar, Abbey of Corvey, Earldom of Lippe, County of Regenstein, Principality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel... All of them are located practically nearby — relatively close to Hanover (the center the German land of Lower Saxony).
Regarding the origin of the name of the matthier coin, it is known that the very first such coins depicted Saint Matthias (one of the disciples of Jesus, not to be confused with the Evangelist Matthew; he was added by lot to the number of Apostles instead of the traitor Judas Iscariot already after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ). Later, the plot was changed.
