Würzburg

Würzburg is mentioned for the first time in the year 704 as Castellum Virteburch. In 741, Saint Boniface established a diocese here and appointed Burkhard (also later canonized) as the first bishop. Emperor Frederick Barbarossa elevated the bishops of Würzburg to dukes. Würzburg developed into a significant prince bishopric. In the course of the 13th and 14th centuries, there were always clashes between the guilds of the city and the prince-bishop. These tensions ultimately result in the Würzburg Guild Charter of 1373, the most famous guild document of the Middle Ages. With it, the guild masters take a stand against the bishop and declare their unity and independence.

In the Thirty Years' War, Sweden succeeds in conquering Catholic Würzburg. The occupation lasts from 1631 to 1634. In the Coalition Wars of the late 18th century and the early 19th century Würzburg was again under foreign rule: twice conquered by the French troops and once it fell to Bavaria. In 1802, the prince-bishop abdicated as a secular ruler and his fief was secularized. 1806 ended the independent rule permanently, as Würzburg became part of the duchy of Würzburg as stated by the Peace of Pressburg. In 1814 the duchy and city finally fell to Bavaria.

Würzburg received during the 11th century the right to mint. Mostly small silver coins such as denarii were minted during this time. The earliest known pieces are by Bruno of Carinthia (1034-1045). They show the monogram of his name as a cross, on whose arms the letters are attached. Until the 15th century, this type of design was preserved. These coins had a considerable range: one of them was found in the Faroe Islands (found by Sandur). Especially popular from the 16th century was the so-called Körtling worth only 1/84 guilders. Especially on the later pieces is often the imperial orb with value. The magnificent thalers, especially of the 17th century speak of the power consciousness of the prince-bishops.