Medieval coins and modern doubloons
Medieval coins such as the groschen, the Prague pfennig or the modern doubloon are far more than mere decorations – they are tangible artefacts of a monetary history spanning from the early Middle Ages to the early modern period. Whether for a LARP camp, a medieval market or a re-enactment group: coin replicas made of brass, bronze and tin bring everyday historical life right into your hands.
What coins were there in the Middle Ages? An overview
The medieval coinage system was rich in various denominations, which played different roles depending on the region, era and commercial needs. From the small penny of the early Middle Ages to the gold guilder of the late Middle Ages, every coin reflects the economic history of its time. The following table provides an overview of the most important denominations:
| Denomination | Period | Material | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penny (Denarius) | From the Early Middle Ages (c. 7th century) | Silver | Small denomination, the most common coin of the Middle Ages |
| Heller | From the 13th century | Silver | Half-pfennig, regional in southern Germany |
| Groschen | From the 13th century | Silver | Trade coin for larger transactions |
| Schilling (Solidus) | Early to late Middle Ages | Silver | Unit of account, varying by region |
| Gulden / Ducat | From the 13th/14th century | Gold | Trade gold for long-distance trade and large sums |
| Thaler | From the 16th century | Silver | Large silver coin, precursor to modern currencies |
| Dublone (Doblón) | 16th/17th century | Gold | Spanish gold coin, global trade currency |
The Groschen – from a Bohemian silver coin to an everyday coin
The groschen originated in the 13th century as a heavy silver coin modelled on the French example: the Gros Tournois (Tournose) of the French kings was the model that quickly spread throughout Europe. Its most famous manifestation was the Prague groschen, which King Wenceslas II had minted from 1300 onwards in the Bohemian royal town of Kuttenberg. The obverse bears the Latin inscription “DEI GRATIA REX BOEMIE” – “By the Grace of God, King of Bohemia” – and depicts the Bohemian royal crown; the reverse is adorned with the Bohemian lion.
In the medieval trading system, the groschen carried considerable weight: depending on the region and period, 1 groschen was equivalent to between 12 and 30 pfennigs. This made it suitable for transactions that significantly exceeded the value of small everyday coins – from market trade to the movement of goods within towns. The Prague groschen was one of the most widespread coins in Central Europe until the 15th century and has been found archaeologically from the North Sea to Hungary.
For re-enactment and LARP, the Prague groschen, as a brass or bronze replica, is the most authentic play money for High and Late Medieval scenarios. With a historical diameter of approx. 25–27 mm, it sits comfortably in the hand and serves convincingly as a medium of exchange at markets and in camp life.
Doubloons and modern coin replicas – pirates, conquistadors and treasure legends
The doubloon (Doblón) is a Spanish gold coin from the 16th and 17th centuries, minted in the mints of Spain and its American colonies – from Seville to Mexico City, from Lima to Bogotá. It was the most sought-after gold coin of the early modern era and the reserve currency of Atlantic trade. Its silver counterpart, the piece of eight, formed the basis of early world trade and was the first truly global currency.
With the romance of pirates and seafaring in the 17th and 18th centuries, the doubloon became the quintessential iconic symbol of pirate treasure – from Stevenson’s Treasure Island to modern pirate LARP adventures. Replicas made of brass or gold-plated metal capture this flair perfectly: as a prop in a pirate’s pouch, as a belt ornament for a pirate costume, or as a decorative element on the gaming table, they create an atmospheric ambience.
Although the doubloon originated after the classical Middle Ages, it is now a staple of historically inspired role-playing and early modern re-enactment. It is particularly indispensable in the context of pirate LARP, seafaring scenarios and colonial-era re-enactment.
Materials and variants: What goes into a coin replica?
The quality of a coin replica is largely determined by the material and the surface finish – both influence how historically authentic the coin appears and how robust it is in the day-to-day use of LARP or re-enactment.
| Material | Appearance | Suitability | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brass (copper-zinc) | Golden yellow | Robust, easy to stamp | Doubloons, gold coin replicas, LARP play money |
| Bronze (copper-tin) | Dark brown, antiqued | Authentic patina | Early and High Medieval coins, pfennigs, groschen |
| Tin / zinc alloy | Silver-grey | Lightweight, affordable | Entry-level product, silver coin look, mass production |
| Hand-coloured / aged | Patinated | Historically authentic | Re-enactment, exhibitions, high-end LARP equipment |
Another quality feature is the diameter: historical models such as the Prague groschen measure approx. 25–27 mm, whilst medieval pfennigs often measure only 15–20 mm. Replicas based on these dimensions feel significantly more authentic in the hand than oversized showpieces. Weight also plays a role: a well-cast brass coin feels more substantial than a lightweight zinc alloy – which is relevant for frequent use at markets and in role-playing scenarios.
What are coin replicas suitable for? An overview of applications
Medieval coin replicas and doubloons cover a wide range of applications – from functional play money to atmospheric decoration.
LARP & Medieval Market
In LARP, coin replicas serve a genuine purpose: as a medium of exchange between traders and players, as a reward for quests, or as stakes in dice games. At medieval markets, they are an essential part of a convincing trader’s display – a bulging linen pouch filled with brass groschen speaks for itself.
Reenactment
For re-enactors setting up an authentic camp scene, period-appropriate coin denominations are essential. Early medieval bronze pennies, High Medieval brass groschen or Late Medieval guilder replicas – depending on the century being portrayed, you choose the appropriate denomination and material.
Tabletop, board games & dice games
Medieval coin replicas are ideal as tangible play money for historical board games, pen-and-paper role-playing games and dice games. Instead of cardboard tokens, real metal coins lie on the table – this noticeably enhances the immersion.
Costumes & Decor
Whether as a belt ornament on a coin chain, loosely in a leather pouch or strung up as decoration on a garment: coin replicas complement any historical costume. Doubloon sets in a pirate pouch are a classic pirate costume prop in particular.
Gift idea
A set of various coin replicas – from the Prague groschen to the doubloon – makes for an unusual and personal gift idea for medieval enthusiasts, re-enactors and role-players. Combined with a leather coin pouch, it creates a harmonious gift set.
Frequently asked questions about medieval coins, groschen and doubloons
In the Middle Ages, there was a wide variety of coin denominations. The most common and oldest coin was the penny (Latin: denarius), which was minted throughout Europe from the early Middle Ages onwards. In addition, there was the Heller (half a penny), the Groschen (from the 13th century onwards as a silver coin for larger sums), the Schilling as a unit of account, and the Gulden and Ducat as gold coins of the late Middle Ages. There were numerous regional variants: Batzen, Kreuzer, Pfund and Mark denoted different units of value depending on the area.
Medieval coins were named after their denominations: pfennig, heller, groschen, schilling, gulden, ducat and taler are the most common terms. The term ‘groschen’ is derived from the Latin grossus denarius (thick denarius) and refers to a heavy silver coin. ‘Gulden’ comes from ‘golden’ and refers to the original gold material. Many coins also bore the name of their place of minting or ruler, such as the Prague Groschen (Bohemia) or the Florin (Florence).
The groschen was originally a heavy silver coin, minted from the 13th century onwards in response to growing trade needs – the small pfennig was no longer sufficient for larger transactions. The best-known example is the Prague groschen, which King Wenceslaus II of Bohemia had minted from 1300 onwards. Depending on the region, 1 groschen was worth between 12 and 30 pfennigs. Over the centuries, the groschen lost value and became a coin used for small change – in the GDR, the ten-pfennig coin was still colloquially referred to as a ‘groschen’.
The guilder was a gold coin of high value, minted from the 13th century onwards, initially in Florence (Fiorino d’oro) and later throughout Europe. In the 14th century, 1 guilder was worth around 60 Prague groschen – which in turn could be equivalent to 720 to 1,800 pfennigs. By way of comparison: a simple day labourer in the High Middle Ages often earned only a few pfennigs a day, a journeyman craftsman slightly more. A guilder thus represented the value of several weeks’ labour and was not a coin used for everyday small purchases, but rather for significant commercial transactions.
From the small bronze coins of the early Middle Ages to the gleaming gold doubloons of the Age of Discovery – the selection of coin replicas at Vehi Mercatus covers all major eras and uses. Browse through the range and find the perfect coin for your camp, your LARP or your collection.