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Preussischer Ort

Verfasst: Mo 18.01.10 07:26
von Litauer
Guten Tag.
I am sorry, but have to write in English as I do not speak German :(
My name is Vytautas, I am from Lithuania (Litauen) and I have a question about Prussian orts (also known as "Vierstaler", "ortstaler", "achtzehngroescher"). So far in literature I have found that they were mad of silver, but no official weigh or finess (amount of pure silver in the coin).
In one auction I have found the weight of the coin - 6,35 grams, but I am not sure if is the legal weight - i.e. weight, prescribed by a ruler. I also searched Krause publications (like "World coins", "Crowns and talers" etc), but to no results.
Can anyone help me with this question, please?

Re: Preussischer Ort

Verfasst: Di 19.01.10 11:07
von Gerhard Schön
The Ort or Quarter Thaler of 22½ Groschen (the last time a legal standard existed) was debased in the middle of the 17th century and devaluated to 18 Groschen. At the same time, the Gulden or 30 Groschen coins were struck to a standard low enough to be devaluated to 18 Groschen as well, so the two nominals merged. During the next 100 years, the silver content was reduced even more and found to be 4.52 g (1660), 4.05 g (1700), 3.05 g (1750) and finally 1.56 g (1762).
Greetings,
gs

Verfasst: Di 19.01.10 12:43
von Litauer
Danke schoen - Thanks.
What about the weight? Did it remain the same ~6 grams?
The silver content - does it apply to 22 Groschen or to 18 Groschen?

Verfasst: Di 19.01.10 13:28
von Gerhard Schön
Yes, the coins examined here were all 18 Groschen pieces.
Greetings,
gs