Hesse-Kassel
Hesse-Kassel was a significant territory within the **Holy Roman Empire** and minted a variety of coins spanning from the Renaissance to the 19th century. The reign of **Landgrave William V** (r. 1627–1637) was marked by the **Thirty Years' War**, which influenced the minting of coins. William V attempted to reform the currency by minting large quantities of **Imperial Thalers** to alleviate the shortage of **good money**.
Some of the most notable coins are the **Weidenbaum Thalers**, minted during the reign of William V and his successors. They are characterized by various motifs on the reverse side, including the depiction of a **storm** and different **buildings**.
In the 18th century, **Landgrave Frederick II** was renowned for the **soldier trade**, selling Hessian soldiers to the British Crown. The **Sterntaler**, minted from 1776 to 1779, partly served as payment for these soldiers.
Denominations, Materials, and Motifs:
- Imperial Thaler
- Sterntaler
- Materials: Silver
- Motifs: Coat of arms, lordly portraits, willow tree, star of the Order of the Golden Lion
