Matthier: Holy Roman Empire Silver Coin (16th-18th c.)

Illustrated Specimen Details: Matthier

Example Specimen: Matthier, 1593 — City of Hildesheim (German States)

Design & Symbolism: EIN MATTHIER 93 (one matthier, 1593). The obverse features a globus cruciger (a cross above a globe) as a Christian symbol of authority and the power of the monarch. The inscription "½" inside the globus cruciger probably refers to the equality of the matthier to half of a mariengroschen.

The reverse features the heraldic shield from the coat of arms of Hildesheim and the inscription MO: NO: REIP: HILD: (MONETA NOVA REIPVBLIC HILDESHEIM), which translates to "new currency of the community of Hildesheim".

1. GERMAN STATES, 16th-18th centuries (Bishopric of Hildesheim, Landgraviate of Hesse-Cassel, City of Goslar, Abbey of Corvey, Earldom of Lippe, County of Regenstein, Principality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel): matthier (including mattier and matier) = 4 pfennig = ½ mariengroschen

MATTHIER as a coin name.
The matthier is a rather rare German coin that was issued mainly during the 16th-18th centuries. It was equal to ½ mariengroschen or 4 pfennig.

The first coins of this type appeared at the end of the 15th century in Goslar (Lower Saxony) under the name matthiasgroschen. Regarding the origin of the name, it is known that the very first such coins depicted Saint Matthias (one of the disciples of Jesus, added by lot to the Apostles after the crucifixion and resurrection).

Later, the design was changed, but the coin spread to surrounding lands. The denomination was noted as MATTIER or MATIER, while numismatic sources also widely use the spelling MATTHIER. The existence of coins of the mentioned types is known from German issuers practically nearby Hanover, including the Bishopric of Hildesheim, City of Goslar, Abbey of Corvey, Earldom of Lippe, County of Regenstein, and Principality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel.

Historical Background and Monetary System

The matthier circulated throughout the Holy Roman Empire during the Early Modern period, particularly in northern Germany. It was issued by numerous ecclesiastical and secular states, reflecting the fragmented political landscape of the Empire, where hundreds of territories possessed the right to strike their own coins.

The denomination remained popular until the gradual standardization of German monetary systems during the 18th century reduced the use of many regional coin types. In the monetary systems of northern and central German states, the exchange rate was clearly defined:

• 1 matthier = 4 pfennig
• 1 matthier = ½ mariengroschen
• 2 matthier = 1 mariengroschen

This made the matthier an essential everyday circulation coin and a convenient fractional denomination in regions where the mariengroschen formed the basis of commerce.

Physical Characteristics & Collectibility

Matthier coins were typically struck in silver or billon (a low-grade silver alloy). Typical designs feature coats of arms, rulers' monograms, religious symbols, denomination inscriptions, and mint marks.

Today, matthier coins are highly valued by collectors of German territorial coinage. They perfectly illustrate the remarkable diversity of the Holy Roman Empire's monetary systems, where a traveling merchant could encounter dozens of different regional denominations, yet the matthier consistently maintained its value of 4 pfennig.