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1 Pfennig - Gerlach of Nassau

Started by RoyalCoinage, October 02, 2024, 11:50:14 PM

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RoyalCoinage

Wanted to see if I could find any information on this particular Archbishop.

(https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerlach_von_Nassau#:~:text=Gerlach%20von%20Nassau%20(*%201322%20in)

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Obverse:

Bust within inncer circle with mitra facing, legend surrounding.

Text? (Latin)

Reverse:

Mainz arms with surrounding legend.

Text? (Latin)
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Issuer: Archbishopric of Mainz (German States)
Archbishop: Gerlach of Nassau (1346-1371)
Years: 1346-1371


https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces106994.html#:~:text=Detailed%20information%20about%20the%20coin%201
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Figleaf

#1
Gerlach's story starts with his granddad, Adolf. Nassau was a minor part of the German empire. However, Adolf was pretty smart and his involvement with the archbishopric of Cologne brought great benefits, first of all when emperor Rudolf died in 1291. Rudolf, a Habsburg, had wanted his son Albrecht to succeed him, but the electors, led by Siegfried, archbishop of Cologne resisted the thought of a dynastic post of emperor and Adolf became their candidate. In 1292, Adolf was crowned by the archbishop of Mainz.

During his reign, Adolf turned and twisted his initially weak position into a much stronger one and the archbishop of Mainz turned coat and lead a growing opposition against Adolf. Adolf was deposed in 1298 and died on the battlefield in the same year. Albert was murdered in 1308.

Gerlach I (1271-1361) was Adolf's only son. Apparently, he was a good diplomat and repaired hurt feelings with many of Adolf's enemies, making Nassau acceptable again in Cologne. His third son, another Gerlach (1322-1371), probably profited from his father's diplomatic capacities by supporting the right side in a feud for Mainz. This earned him the title of archbishop of Mainz (an archbishop is one rank higher than a bishop).

Gerlach tried to appoint his nephew Adolf (guess who he was named after) co-adjucator in Mainz, making him heir apparent of the Mainz title, but failed to finish this move before his death. Moreover, Adolf had to wait until 1381 before he could succeed in Mainz, as emperor Charles IV wanted a member of the powerful house of Luxembourg in Mainz. Adolf lost more points by giving support to the Avignon pope, even though the Roman pope recognised him. It earned him the enmity of the powerful Palatine elector. He was the last Nassau to be archbishop in Mainz.

Saurma 1228. Miltenberg mint (no mint sign).

Peter
An unidentified coin is a piece of metal. An identified coin is a piece of history.