How Far Back Can We Go? Sixth Edition! Ended At 1380 Waiting On 1379

Lovely range of 1660s there, @jgenn!

Orange 1660, 1/12 ecu, William of Orange.



In 1660 William of Orange was just 10 years old. He made a remarkable career, ending up as king William III of England, Scotland and Ireland in 1689.

The principality of Orange was entirely surrounded by France and the papal state Comtat Venaissin. Despite a strained relationship with France, the principality gladly minted coins that were look-alikes of those of its mighty neighbor - to the benefit of the international trade, no doubt. This 1/12 ecu is almost a direct copy of the French denomination, although with the portrait of the equally young Louis XIV replaced with that of William. The reverse even displays the coat of arms of France, not the one of Orange!

@jgenn, that's an amazing group for 1660!
Probably everyone else here knows this, but I could not figure out the first one .

And @erafjel, I was not aware that Orange existed as an independent principality into the 18th century. The history sounds a bit like that of Lorraine, with a French incursion in the 1670s, and eventually incorporation into the French kingdom in the next century.

For 1660, I have more Poland, a 6 groschen coin minted in Krakow. (Then a rough patch for me until 1655)

1660 -- Electorate of Saxony-Albertine, 3 pfennnig:

Here is a 2 Albus from the German Archbishopric of Cologne dated AD 1659:

1658 Hungary Thaler

and noticed we are (finally) out of Leopold's reign now.

I have a homely 1658 solidus/schilling minted in Gdansk, Poland:

1658 -- Duchy of Saxe-Weimar, 3 pfennig:

Wow, is that really yours - those coins are incredibly rare, yet also very beautiful.

By that stage Oliver Cromwell was king in all but name. I mean he is wearing an imperial wreath, the head gear of choice for all 17th century absolute rulers and emperors besides a crown and a flowing wig!