German States - Kingdom of Württemberg

The Kingdom of Württemberg was a German state that existed from 1806 to 1918. It was formed after the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire and became a member of the German Empire in 1871. The economy of the kingdom was mainly based on agriculture and crafts, but in the 19th century, industry also began to develop significantly. Württemberg was also prominent in the fields of culture and education, and many famous scientists and artists came from here. After World War I, the kingdom ceased to exist and became part of the Weimar Republic.

The minting of the Kingdom of Württemberg lasted from the foundation of the kingdom in 1806 until its dissolution in 1918. During this time, the kingdom's monetary system underwent several significant changes. The kingdom initially used the guilder-based monetary system, which was already widespread in the southern German states. The units of the Württemberg guilder were as follows: 1 Gulden = 60 Kreuzer, 1 Kreuzer = 4 Pfennig Gold, silver and copper coins were also minted. Gold coins included ducats and forints, while silver coins included thalers and various guilder coins (e.g. half, one, two guilders). Copper coins represented the smaller denominations (e.g. 1/2, 1, 2, 4 Kreuzer). Coins often featured the Württemberg coat of arms and the portrait of the ruler. After the formation of the German Empire in 1871, most German states, including Württemberg, switched to the imperial monetary system, which was based on the mark. The units of the new monetary system were as follows: 1 Mark = 100 Pfennig. The Württemberg mint continued to issue coins, but these now met imperial standards. The denominations included silver 2, 3 and 5 Mark coins, as well as smaller copper and nickel pfennig coins. Interestingly, the German states had the right to display the portrait of their own ruler on the gold 10 and 20 Mark coins. Thus, there are II. Also 10-mark gold coins with a portrait of King William of Württemberg. Württemberg coins were mainly minted at the Stuttgart State Mint (Münzstätte Stuttgart). The coins often bear the mint mark "F", which refers to the town of Freudenstadt, where a mint also operated for a time.