Introduction

In 1561, Riga obtained the status of Free Imperial City, meaning that it was not subject to any intermediate ruler such as a duke or count, but was directly subject to the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. This status lasted until 1581.

Starting in 1575, Riga used a coin striking machine known as a "Walzwerk," consisting of rolls of obverse and reverse dies. A metal plate was fed between the rolls, receiving impressions of both dies, and the coins were then cut out. This increased the speed that coins could be produced as prior to this coins were struck by hammer blow.

Several denominations were struck, though the subsequent pages focus on the schilling. The standard obverse style shows the coat of arms of Riga (stone portal with two flagged towers, small cross on top, and the head of a lion in the gates), and has the legend CIVITATIS RIGENSIS. The standard reverse style shows the small coat of arms of Riga (two crossed keys with a small cross above), and has the legend MONE NO ARGENTEA (see example). A number of varieties exist, several of which are shown below. Coins are shown at three times their normal diameter for ease in comparing the variations.

While the castle and other imagery varies from coin to coin, the variations identified here primarily consist of differences in the obverse and reverse legends, both in how the legend reads, and how the various components are separated. The separators are shown below, identified in legends by the specified abbreviations. The separators can also appear below the keys on the reverse.

Prior to the Free City period, coinage was struck in the name of the Archbishops of Riga. The first coin below is an issue of the last year of the last Archbishop — the same year that the Free City coinage started. Following, to scale, is a Free City schilling, as well as a Free City ferding, valued at 9 schillings. The schillings on the successive pages are magnified so varieties can be seen more easily.

The legend separator symbols are documented here.

Other Coins of Riga


Type:Schilling
Date:1563
Obverse: Wilhelm von Brandenberg's family shield on the breast of an eagle, with inscription GVILHELM D G A E RI
Reverse: The small coat of arms of Riga, and legend P MONETA NOVA RIGE

Type:Ferding
Date:1566
Obverse:CIVITATIS RIGEN
Reverse:X MONETA 5R NOVA 5R ARGENTE

Type:Ferding
Date:1566
Obverse:CIVITATIS RIGENS
Reverse:X MONETA 5S NOVA 5S ARGEN

Type:Ferding
Date:1567
Obverse:CIVITATIS RIGEN
Reverse:X MONETA 5R NOVA 5R ARGENTE

Type:3 Groszy
Date:1586
Issuer:Stefan Batory
Obverse:STEP D G REX P D L
Reverse:III / 1586 / GR OS / ARG TRIP / CIVI / RE / GE

Type:Hockey medallion
Obverse:HOKEJA / KOMANDA / DINAMO / RIGA
Reverse:RIGA