W. C a r e w H a z l i t t Coinage of the European Continent

Descriptive Outline of the Coinages of Europe 3 1 9
the entire German series. All collectors must become aware
'of the large, wide-spread silver pieces coined from the Hartz
mines, and in many instances stamped with values from i^to
4 thalers. Of the same coin specimens may be seen with
and without the current rate, as if the process had been an
afterthought. One with an equestrian portrait of the Elector
Augustus, 1 664, has the stamp beneath the feet of the horse,
while a second, of 1655, is unmarked. But from about 1538
down to the last century this picturesque and luxurious coinage
proceeded almost without interruption and with infinite
variety of treatment. The portraits of the dukes are excellent,
and are quite equal to the contemporary Italian work alike
in the boldness and freedom of touch and in the truthfulness
to life. Besides the Anglo-Hanoverian coinage noticed below,
pieces struck by the Elector George Louis shortly before his
succession to the British Crown should be interesting to the
English and American collector there is the very fine thaler
:
of 1713 with the reverse legend In Recto Decus. Equally
in Brunswick and in Saxony the remains of gold currency
are scanty, nor do the evidences authorise us to suppose that
the metal was ever extensively employed. The imperial concessions
in this respect are limited to Emden, Goslar, Liineburg,
and one or two other towns, without any proof of the
participation of the dukes in the movement.
This kingdom, which evolved from Brunswick-Ltineburg,
and dates only from 1814, was an appanage of the British
Crown till the death of William IV. in 1837. There
Hanover.
is a coinage of George V. including a 5 -thaler
piece from the Hartz gold of 1853. But as an electorate
Hanover produced a copious store
and succession of money
in all metals, the gold pieces, especially of George I., being
scarce. We may particularise the Elector guinea of 1714,