1673 AD., German States, Brunswick-Lüneburg, Wolfenbüttel line, Rudolph August, 1 Mariengroschen, KM 497.
German States, Brunswick-Lüneburg, Wolfenbüttel line, Rudolph August (1666-85), 1673 AD.,
1 Mariengroschen (ø 15-16 mm / 0,69 g), silver, axes about coin alignment ↑↓ (ca. 200°), holed at top,
Obv.: D: G: RUDOLPH AUGUSTUS DUX B.E [L] , wild man standing left of tree, holding tree with both hands, double strike.
Rev.: REMIGIO AL[T]ISSIMI. 1673 (rosette) / .I. / MARIE / GROS , value in a circle.
Welter 2110 ; KM 497 .
The Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg (German: Herzogtum Braunschweig-Lüneburg), or more properly the Duchy of Brunswick and Lüneburg, was a historical duchy that existed from the late Middle Ages to the Early Modern era within the Holy Roman Empire. The duchy was located in what is now northwestern Germany. Its name came from the two largest cities in the territory: Brunswick and Lüneburg.
The dukedom emerged in 1235 from the allodial lands of the House of Welf in Saxony. The duchy was divided several times during the High Middle Ages amongst various lines of the House of Welf, but each ruler was styled "Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg" in addition to his own particular title. By 1692, the territories had consolidated to two: the Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg (Hanover) and the Principality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel.
In 1714, the Hanoverian branch of the family succeeded to the throne of Great Britain, which they would rule in personal union with Hanover until 1837. For this reason, many cities and provinces in former British colonies are named after Brunswick or Lüneburg. The Hanoverians never ruled Brunswick while they held the British throne, as the city was part of neighboring Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. After the Congress of Vienna in 1814/15, the Brunswick-Lüneburg territories became the Kingdom of Hanover and the Duchy of Brunswick.