1/2 Gulden States of Germany Silver

1840, Hesse-Darmstadt, Louis II. Silver ½ Gulden Coin.

Mint Years: 1840
References: KM-307.
Denomination: ½ Gulden
Material: Silver (.900)
Diameter: 25mm
Weight: 5.23gm

Obverse: Head of Louis II as Grand Duke of Hessen left.

Reverse: Value (½) above denomination (GULDEN) and date (1840). All within wreath.

The Grand Duchy of Hesse and by Rhine (German: Großherzogtum Hessen und bei Rhein), or, between 1806 and 1816, Grand Duchy of Hesse(German: Großherzogtum Hessen)—as it was also known after 1816—was a member state of the German Confederation from 1806, when the Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt was elevated to a Grand Duchy, until 1918, when all the German monarchies were overthrown. Before 1866, its northern neighbour was its former sister Landgraviate, since 1803 an Electorate, of Hesse-Kassel – for this reason, this state was sometimes colloquially known as Hesse-Darmstadt.

Louis II (26 December 1777, Darmstadt – 16 June 1848, Darmstadt) was Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine from 1830 until 5 March 1848 (He resigned in the German Revolution of 1848). He was the son of Louis I, Grand Duke of Hesse.

He was married to Wilhelmine of Baden who was his first cousin. Through her, Louis had four surviving children – Louis III, Prince Charles, Prince Alexander, and Marie, who became Empress consort of Alexander II of Russia. The last two were, however, more likely fathered by Baron August von Senarclens de Grancy, the longtime lover of his wife.