German States Silver 2 Kreuzer of Hanau-Lichtenberg (1588)

A genuine silver 2 Kreuzer struck by the County of Hanau-Lichtenberg, a small German principality within the Holy Roman Empire. Dated 1588, this coin circulated during the late Renaissance, when Europe was a patchwork of independent duchies, counties, bishoprics, and free cities, each issuing its own coinage.

Unlike the unified nations we know today, the Holy Roman Empire consisted of hundreds of semi-independent states. Coins such as this served as everyday currency while reflecting the remarkable political diversity of Central Europe. The year 1588 is also remembered for the defeat of the Spanish Armada, one of the defining events of the late sixteenth century.

This specimen was acquired directly from detectorist Marius Staszak, who personally recovered it through legal metal detecting activities in Europe. According to the finder, this coin was recovered in northern Poland in 2021. While the exact recovery location was not documented at the time of discovery, the finder identified northern Poland as the general find region.

Each coin includes a printed provenance record documenting its acquisition directly from the finder and its cataloging into the Jill and the Gems historical collection.

Details

• Issuing State: County of Hanau-Lichtenberg
• Date: 1588
• Type: German States Silver 2 Kreuzer
• Collection Number: JTG-G-214
• Provenance: Recovered in northern Poland (2021) and acquired directly from the finder
• Includes: Printed provenance record