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1694 16 Gute Groschen 1694 16 Gute Groschen
16 Gute Groschen
Brunswick-Lüneburg-Celle
1694

Composition: Silver
Weight: 16.89g
Diameter: 35.7mm
Thickness: 1.9mm


George William, Duke of Brunswick
House: Hanover
Born 1624 - Died 1705


This coin features the horse motif, the Saxon Steed. This symbol was adopted by Brunswick and House Hanover. Above the horse reads "QUO FAS ET GLORIA DUCUNT" which translates to "Where Justice and Glory Lead" or "Wherever Right and Glory Lead".

George William was a Duke of Brunswick, and ruler of the Principality of Calenberg. His older brother, Christian Louis (Prince of Luneburg) died in 1665. George William inherited Luneburg, but opted to give it to his younger brother, John Frederick. George William kept Celle, and gave the rest of Luneburg to his youngest brother, Ernest Augustus.

Renouncing his claim to Luneburg allowed George William to marry his mistress, Éléonore Desmier d'Olbreuse. Together they had a daughter, Sophia Dorothea. Sophia was married to her cousin, George Louis (Ernest Augustus' son). George Louis went on to be King of Great Britain, and was the first British monarch from house Hanover.

The value on the coin is listed as "XVI GUTE GROSCH" (16 Gute Groschen). A Gute Groschen (Good Groschen) is worth 1/24 of a thaler, where the lighter Marien Groschen (Mary's Groschen) is worth 1/36 of a thaler.

Below the value are the letters JJJ. These are the initials of the mint master Jobst Jakob Jänisch. He was mint master at Celle and Luneburg from 1687 - 1705.