When the Livonia Confederation was dissolved in 1561, Riga got the status of free city on the same year. This status lasted until 1581, when Riga had to accept the reign of Poland as the result of later phases of Livonia War.
Coins, struck during 1561-81, were still in accordance with the minting rules of the Livonia Confederation. Another interesting fact: the coin striking machine, so called "Walzwerk", was invented and used in West Europe mints since the middle of 16th century. The simple principle of this machine was, that there were 2 rolls with obverse and reverse dies on them. When the metal plate was feeded through, it got the imprinted designs of obverse and reverse dies of the rolls. The ready coins were just cut out afterwards. It strongly increased the speed of coin mintage. Comparing the design of Riga schillings, was discovered, that Riga mint introduced "Walzwerk" in 1575.
The following denominations were struck: pfennig, schilling, 2 schillings, ferding, 1/2 mark, mark, 1/2 thaler, thaler, 3 ducats.
Standard description of Riga coins:
Obverse picture: the big coat of arms of Riga (stone portal with 2 flagged towers, 2 crossed keys above with small cross on top, head of lion in the gates).
Legend: CIVITATIS RIGENSIS
Reverse picture: the small coat of arms of Riga (2 crossed keys with small cross on top. Legend: MONETA NOVA ARGENTEA
PFENNIG
Data: | Ag 94, 0.26 g, 12.0 mm |
Description: | Obv: The big coat of arms of Riga, w/o keys above. |
Rev: Date 7 1, divided by the small coat of arms of Riga. | |
Coinage: | 1571 |
References: | Fed.605 |
SCHILLING
Data: | Ag 94, 0.90-1.00 g, 18.0-18.3 mm |
Description: |
Obv: The big coat of arms of Riga, w/o keys above. Legend around: *CIVITATIS.RIGENSIS |
Rev: The last 2 digits of the date, divided by the small coat of arms of Riga. Legend around: *MONE.NO.ARGENTEA |
|
Coinage: | ND(1563-1580), 1563-1580 |
References: | Fed.578, 579, 582, 588, 591, 594, 598, 601-604, 612, 614, 615, 617-621, 623, 624, 626; H.Cz.4363 |
Note: | Pictures: schilling (1571) struck with hammer, schilling (1575) made, using "Walzwerk". |
2 SCHILLINGS
Data: | Ag 94 |
Description: |
Obv: The big coat of arms of Riga, w/o keys above. Legend around: |
Rev: The last 2 digits of the date, divided by the small coat of arms of Riga. Legend around: |
|
Coinage: | 1564 |
References: | Fed.581 |
FERDING
Data: | Ag 437,5, 2.70-2.85 g, 22.0-23.2 mm |
Description: |
Obv: The big coat of arms of Riga. Legend around: CIVITA TIS RIGEN |
Rev: The last 2 digits of the date, divided by the small coat of arms of Riga. Legend around: *MONETA*NOVA*ARGENTE |
|
Coinage: | ND(1564-1569), 1564-1569, 1579 |
References: | Fed.580, 586, 587, 590, 593, 597, 599, 622, 625 |
1/2 MARK
Data: | Ag 437,5, 5.48-5.70 g, 24.0 mm |
Description: |
Obv: The big coat of arms of Riga, supported by 2 standing lions. Legend around: CIVITATI RIGENSIS |
Rev: The small coat of arms of Riga. Legend around: *MONETA*NOVA*ARGENTEA*65** |
|
Coinage: | 1565, 1566, 1568, 1572, 1573 |
References: | Fed.585, 589, 596, 609, 611; H.Cz.4342 |
MARK
Data: | Ag 437,5, 9.86 g, 33.0 mm |
Description: |
Obv: The big coat of arms of Riga, I (mark) R below. Legend around: CIVITATIS.RIGENSIS |
Rev: Date 15 72, divided by the small coat of arms of Riga. Legend around: *MONETA*NOVA*ARGENTEA* |
|
Coinage: | 1572 |
References: | Fed.607 |
Note: | The same die used for coin of 3 ducats. |
1/2 THALER
Data: | Ag |
Description: | Obv: The big coat of arms of Riga. |
Rev: The small coat of arms of Riga. | |
Coinage: | 1565, 1567 |
References: | Fed.584, 592 |
THALER
Data: | Ag, 27.25 g, 40.0 mm |
Description: |
Obv: The big coat of arms of Riga. Legend around: CIVITATIS.18.F.RIGENSIS. |
Rev: The small coat of arms of Riga. Legend around: *DENARIVS*NOVUS*ARGENTEVS: |
|
Coinage: | 1565, 1572, 1573, 1574, 1576 |
References: | Fed.583, 606, 610, 613, 616; Dav.8458, 8459 |
Note: | Exist types, different from described. |
3 DUCATS
Data: | Au 986, 10.66 g, 30.0 mm |
Description: |
Obv: The big coat of arms of Riga, I (mark) R below. Legend around: CIVITATIS.RIGENSIS |
Rev: Date 15 72, divided by the small coat of arms of Riga. Legend around: *MONETA*NOVA*ARGENTEA* |
|
Coinage: | 1572 |
References: | Fed.608 |
Note: | The die of mark coins used for 3 ducats. |
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