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1570, Cologne (Free City), Maximilian II. Silver Thaler Coin. Corroded/Damaged!

Mint Year: 1570   Mint Place: Cologne  Denomination: Thaler State: Cologne (Free Imperial City) Reference: Davenport 9155, MB#210 ($600 in VF!). R! Condition: Marginal dark oxidation/corrosion spot, hairlines from improper cleaning/handling, tooled edge, otherwise XF! Weight: 28.79gm Diameter: 40mm Material: Silver

Obverse: Helmetted civic coat-of-arms of Cologne, supported by two gryphons. Date (15-70) split in field. Legend: x MO x NO A - RG x - x CIV - C OLON x 

Reverse: Crown above double-headed Imperial eagle with cross-topped orb at chest. Legend: MAXIMILI x II x IMPE x AVG x P x E x DECRETO 

Cologne's first Christian bishop was Maternus. He was responsible for the construction of the first cathedral, a square building erected early in the 4th century. In 794, Hildebald (or Hildebold) was the first Bishop of Cologne to be appointed archbishop. Bruno I (925–965), younger brother of Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor, founded several monasteries here.

The dynasty of the Ezzonids, later Counts of Berg,   counted 7 archbishops during that period and consolidated the powers of   the archbishopric over imperial affairs. The archbishops of Cologne   became very influential as advisers to the Saxon, Salian and Hohenstaufen dynasties. From 1031 they also held the office of Arch-Chancellor of Italy. Their authority culminated[clarification needed] under Archbishop Engelbert II of Berg,   imperial administrator (Reichsprovisor) and tutor to the emperor's son.   Between 1216 and 1225, Engelbert fought for the establishment and   security of the archdiocese of Cologne both as an ecclesiastical   authority and as a secular territory. This led to his murder in 1225.

Construction of the Gothic cathedral started in 1248 under Konrad von Hochstaden.   The eastern arm was completed and consecrated in 1322. Construction of   the western arm was halted in 1475, and it would remain unfinished until   1880.

In 1074 the commune was formed. By the 13th century, the relationship between the city and its archbishop had become difficult, and after the Battle of Worringen in 1288, the forces of Brabant and the citizenry of Cologne captured Archbishop Siegfried of Westerburg (1274–97), resulting in almost complete freedom for the city. To regain his   liberty the archbishop recognized the political independence of Cologne   but reserved certain rights, notably the administration of justice.

Cologne effectively became a free city after 1288, and in 1475 it was formally made a free imperial city,   a status that it held until annexed by France on May 28, 1796. The   Archbishopric of Cologne was a state in its own right within the Holy   Roman Empire, but the city was independent, and the archbishops were   usually not allowed to enter it. Instead, they took up residence in Bonn and later in Brühl until they returned in 1821. From 1583 to 1761, all ruling archbishops came from the Wittelsbach dynasty. As powerful electors,   the archbishops repeatedly challenged Cologne's free status during the   17th and 18th centuries, resulting in complicated legal affairs, which   were handled by diplomatic means, usually to the advantage of the city.