2 Thaler Free City of Frankfurt Silver

1843, Frankfurt (Free City). Large Silver Double Thaler (3½ Gulden) Coin. 37gm!

Mint Year: 1843
References: KM-329. R!
Condition: A well circulated F-VF!
Denomination: 2 Thaler (3½ Gulden)
Material: Silver (.900)
Weight: 37.09gm
Diameter: 41mm

Reverse: Crowned heraldic eagle of Frankfurt (City Arms) left.
Legend: FREIE STADT FRANKFURT

Obverse: Double value (3½ / 2) and denominaiton (GULDEN / THALER) above date (1842). All within wreath.
Legend. VEREINSMÜNZE / VII EINE F. MARK

Edge: CONVENTION VOM * 30 IULY * 1838 *

Frankfurt was one of the most important cities in the Holy Roman Empire. From 855 the German kings and emperors were elected in Frankfurt and crowned in Aachen. From 1562 the kings/emperors were also crowned in Frankfurt, Maximilian II being the first. This tradition ended in 1792, when Franz II was elected. His coronation was deliberately held on Bastille Day, 14 July, the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille. The elections and coronations took place in St. Bartholomäus cathedral, known as the Kaiserdom (en: Emperor’s Cathedral), or in its predecessors.

The Frankfurter Messe (Frankfurt Trade Fair) was first mentioned in 1150. In 1240, Emperor Friedrich II granted an Imperial privilege to its visitors, meaning they would be protected by the Empire. Book trade fairs have been held in Frankfurt since 1478.

In 1372 Frankfurt became a Reichsstadt (en:Imperial city), i.e. directly subordinate to the Holy Roman Emperor and not to a regional ruler or a local nobleman.