The Guter Groschen ("good groschen"), also Gutergroschen or Gutegroschen, abbreviation Ggr., is name of the groschen coin that was valued at of a Reichsthaler from the end of the 16th century. It was called a "good groschen" to distinguish it from the lighter Mariengroschen ("Mary's groschen"), which was only valued at Reichsthaler. The term Guter Groschen remained common until the middle of the 19th century.[1]
According to the Imperial Circle decision of 1572[2] the groschen, which depicted an orb on the reverse side, were initially valued at 21 to the Reichsthaler, but later 24. These so-called Apfelgroschen[3] were mainly minted in Northern Germany. During the time of counterfeiting, the Kipper and Wipper period, they were debased. After the Kipper mints were closed, they were minted as Gutegroschen with a higher value.[4] The Groschen name was initially intended to express the return to the Imperial Minting Ordinance (Reichsmünzordnung) and thus to good money. Subsequently, the name also became common for the groschen valued at Reichsthaler, which had been struck since the end of the 16th century.
The mints tried to replace the unstable Mariengroschen with the Guter Groschen at Reichsthaler, but they continued to circulate as Reichsthaler.[5]
In the trade manual, Salomon Haas leicht und deutlich erklärte Waaren-Calculation of 1769, the relationship of coins to the Guter Groschen is illustrated with examples from Saxony, Brandenburg and Brunswick:
Brandenburg and Saxon coins.
1 Rthl. = 24 Guter Groschen.
1 Guter Groschen = 12 Pfennings.
Brunswick coins.
1 Rthl. = 24 Guter Groschen = 36 Mariengroschen.
1 Guter Groschen = 12 pfennigs.
1 Mariengroschen = 8 pfennigs.
[...] The ratio of the Saxon coins is the same as that of Brandenburg.[6]