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GERMANY, Aachen (City). AR Groschen (26mm, 2.32 g, 2h). “Jungheit” mint. Dated 1375 (in Roman numerals). Crowned half-length bust of Charlemagne facing, head slightly right, holding trident-tipped scepter and globus cruciger; coat-of-arms below / Long cross pattée. Levinson I-4a; Menadier 95. Toned, minor deposits, faint scratches. VF. Rare. Seldom offered.
Purchased by the consignor from J. Schulman, December 1972.
The city of Aachen had been an important imperial town since the time of Charlemagne, when he spent his first Christmas there after being crowned king in 768. The chapel he ordered constructed there housed both his throne and his tomb, making the town the logical location for subsequent Carolingian coronations, and an important center for the Kings of the Germans. Consequently, Aachen remained an imperial city through much of the Middle Ages.
In 1360/1 the city was entrusted by the emperor to Wilhelm II, a member of the younger branch of the Dukes of Jülich. To commemorate this appointment in 1372, jungheitgroschen, so called from the German “Jungheit” in the legend, were minted. The inclusion of the Roman numeral date on these issues, like this specimen, make them the first dated German coinage. The meaning of “Jungheit” remains in dispute: either the term refers to the ascendancy of the younger branch in their acquisition of Aachen, or to the temporary status of the mint, independent of imperial control.
The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 126 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 28-29 May 2024. This lot is in Session Four, which will begin 29 May at 2 PM ET.
Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.
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