{{italic title}} [[File:LIP 1616 - Ein24stel Taler.jpg|thumb|''Guter Groschen'' ({{fraction|1|24}} ''Reichstaler''), 1616, also called an ''Apfelgroschen'' ("apple groschen") because of the orb]] The '''''Guter Groschen''''' ("good ''groschen''"), also '''''Gutergroschen''''' or '''''Gutegroschen''''', abbreviation '''''Ggr.''''', is name of the ''groschen'' coin that was valued at {{fraction|1|24}} of a ''Reichsthaler'' from the end of the 16th century. It was called a "good ''groschen''" to distinguish it from the lighter ''Mariengroschen'' ("Mary's ''groschen''"), which was only valued at {{fraction|1|36}} ''Reichsthaler''. The term ''Guter Groschen'' remained common until the middle of the 19th century.<ref>Helmut Kahnt: ''Das Große Münzlexikon von A bis Z'' (2005), p. 177</ref>
== History == According to the Imperial Circle decision of 1572<ref>Heinz Fengler, …: ''transpress Lexikon Numismatik'' …, p 24</ref> the ''groschen'', which depicted an orb on the reverse side, were initially valued at 21 to the ''Reichsthaler'', but later 24. These so-called ''Apfelgroschen''<ref>Friedrich von Schrötter ...: ''''Wörterbuch der Münzkunde'''' ..., p. 32.</ref> were mainly minted in Northern Germany. During the time of counterfeiting, the ''Kipper'' and ''Wipper'' period, they were debased. After the ''Kipper'' mints were closed, they were minted as ''Gutegroschen'' with a higher value.<ref>Heinz Fengler, …: ''transpress Lexikon Numismatik'' …, p. 102</ref> The ''Groschen'' name was initially intended to express the return to the Imperial Minting Ordinance (''Reichsmünzordnung'') and thus to good money. Subsequently, the name also became common for the ''groschen'' valued at {{Fraction|1|24}} ''Reichsthaler'', which had been struck since the end of the 16th century.
The mints tried to replace the unstable ''Mariengroschen'' with the ''Guter Groschen'' at {{Fraction|1|24}} ''Reichsthaler'', but they continued to circulate as {{Fraction|1|36}} ''Reichsthaler''.<ref>Heinz Fengler, ...: ''transpress Lexicon Numismatik'' ..., p. 213</ref>
In the trade manual, ''Salomon Haas leicht und deutlich erklärte Waaren-Calculation''' of 1769, the relationship of coins to the ''Guter Groschen'' is illustrated with examples from Saxony, Brandenburg and Brunswick:
: Brandenburg and Saxon coins. : 1 ''Rthl.'' = 24 ''Guter Groschen.'' : 1 ''Guter Groschen'' = 12 ''Pfennings.''
: Brunswick coins. : 1 ''Rthl''. = 24 ''Guter Groschen'' = 36 ''Mariengroschen.'' : 1 ''Guter Grosche''n = 12 ''pfennigs.'' : 1 ''Mariengroschen'' = 8 ''pfennigs.''
: [...] The ratio of the Saxon coins is the same as that of Brandenburg.<ref>''''Salomon Haas leicht und deutlich erklärte Waaren-Calculation, worinnen alle …'', Frankfurt, 1769, pp. 7,10 </ref>
== References == <references />
== Literature == * Paul Arnold, Harald Küthmann, Dirk Steinhilber: ''Großer Deutscher Münzkatalog von 1800 bis heute''. Augsburg 1997 * Lienhard Buck: ''Die Münzen des Kurfürstentums Sachsen 1763 bis 1806.'' Berlin 1981 * Heinz Fengler, Gerd Gierow, Willy Unger: ''transpress Lexikon Numismatik'', Berlin 1976, S. 135 Guter Groschen * [http://ww2.smb.museum/ngb/files/Fr8GroschenMJ12012.pdf Bernd Kluge: ''Für 8 Groschen ist’s genug. Friedrich der Große in seinen Münzen und Medaillen'', Museumsjournal 1/2012] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304114801/http://ww2.smb.museum/ngb/files/Fr8GroschenMJ12012.pdf |date=2016-03-04 }} * Wolfgang Leschhorn: ''Braunschweigische Münzen und Medaillen. 1000 Jahre Münzkunst und Geldgeschichte in Stadt und Land Braunschweig'', Appelhans-Verlag 2010, S. 199–202, ISBN 978-3-941737-22-8. * Friedrich Freiherr von Schrötter (ed.), mit N. Bauer, K. Regling, A. Suhle, R. Vasmer, J. Wilcke: ''Wörterbuch der Münzkunde'', de Gruyter, Berlin 1970 (reprint of the 1930 original) * Arthur Suhle: ''Die Münze. Von den Anfängen bis zur europäischen Neuzeit'', Leipzig 1969
== External links == {{Commonscat}}
{{Groschen}} Category:Silver coins Category:Coins of the Holy Roman Empire Category:Monetary policy Category:Groschen