1829, Saxe-Meiningen, Bernhard II. Nice Silver 3 Kreuzer Coin. XF!
Condition: XF! Mint Year: 1829 References: KM-39. Denomination: 3 Kreuzer Mint Master: Georg Christoph Loewel (L) Diameter: 17mm Material: Silver Weight: 1.22gm
Obverse: Large value numeral (3). Denomination in words below. Legend: LANDMÜNZE / KREUZER
Reverse: Crowned shield within wreath, flanked by initials (S.M.). Date (1829) and mint master’s initial (L) below.
The Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen was one of the Saxon duchies held by the Ernestine line of the Wettin dynasty, located in the southwest of the present-day German state of Thuringia. Established in 1681, by partition of the Ernestine duchy of Saxe-Gotha among the seven sons of deceased Duke Ernest the Pious, the Saxe-Meiningen line of the House of Wettin lasted, without much distinction, until the end of the German monarchies in 1918.
Bernhard II Erich Freund, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen (17 December 1800, in Meiningen – 3 December 1882, in Meiningen) was a Duke of Saxe-Meiningen.
In Kassel on 23 March 1825, Bernhard II married Princess Marie Frederica of Hesse-Kassel (or Hesse-Cassel). They had two children:
In 12 November 1826, after the redistribution of all the family territories after the death of the last Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, Bernhard II received Hildburghausen and Saalfeld.
A very kind family man and proud of his House, Bernhard was a thoughtful husband and father, as long as they obeyed him. In the Austro-Prussian War, he made a decision to side with the Habsburgs. When the Habsburgs lost the War, it cost Bernhard the Duchy. On 20 September 1866, Bernhard was forced to abdicate all his territories to his only son, Georg. He spent the rest of his days as a private citizen.