Guilder|a 2/3 thaler

After the end of the Griffin dynasty (1637), West Pomerania was divided between Brandenburg and Sweden in 1648. The Elector of Brandenburg tried to unite his part of Pomerania with his state. The process of integration proceeded without much resistance. Coins minted according to a separate, Brandenburgian monetary system were quickly put into circulation. Often thick denominations bore shields with griffins and Pomeranian titles, thus emphasising Brandenburg's claim to the whole of Pomerania. The authorities of the Pomeranian province organised a new mint in Stargard. In 1689-1695, small coins and 2/3rds of a thaler (gulden) were minted there according to the new 12-inch (Leipzig) rate. According to a uniform iconographic scheme, mass production of guilders was carried out in Berlin, Magdeburg, Minden, and Stargard. Minor differences concerned the royal titles, additional elements around the shield and the initials of the mint masters. On the obverse of the guilders is the bust of Duke-Elector Frederick III, wearing decorative armour and a luxuriant wig in the style of Louis XIV. In the rim, there are placed elaborate and at the same time strongly abbreviated royal titles described as FRIDER(icus) III D(ei) G(ratia) M(archio) B(randenburgensis) S(acri) R(omani) I(mperii) A(rchi) C(camerarius) & E(lector), deliberately alluding to the Holy Roman Empire, but devoid of the Pomeranian title. The reverse depicts Brandenburg's great coat of arms, incorporating three fields with griffins from the coat of arms of the Pomeranian dukes (field 4 in the first row, and fields 8 and 10 in the third row). The S-D initials on the sides of the shield refer to the leaseholder and mint master of the Stargard mint, Siegmund Dannies. Significantly, the shield is topped with an elector's hat, resembling a crown. That was most probably a deliberate choice. From the beginning of his reign, Frederick tried to obtain the Emperor's consent for his coronation. Those efforts were successful, and in 1701 he accepted the title of King in Prussia.

Genowefa Horoszko