GERMANY. Brandenburg-Preußen. Friedrich Wilhelm IV, 1840-1861. Token (Brass, 20 mm, 1.98 g, 12 h), 1/2 Silbergroschen, no date (circa 1850). W. S. above cross. Rev. 1/2 / SILBER / GROSCHEN surrounded by five stars. Some scratches, otherwise, good very fine.


The precise origin and purpose of these mysterious tokens are still not fully understood. More recently, they have been tentatively linked to the Berlin lamp manufacturer Wali Simon, possibly as a form of company-issued scrip. The explicit statement of an official face value, however, would be quite atypical for this kind of private currency.