1703, German States, Rietberg (Countship). Scarce Copper 4 Pfennig Coin. VF+

Mint Year: 1703 Reference: KM-99. Denomination: 4 Pfennig Condition: Minor deposits, otherwise VF+ Material: Copper Diameter: 23mm Weight: 3.27gm

Obverse: Heraldic eagle of Rietberg, splitting date (17-03).

Reverse: Central value numeral (.IIII.) above denomination (PFEN) within inner circle. Legend: * GRAFL . RIDB . LAND . MUNTZ

Rietberg is a town in the district of Gütersloh in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located approximately 10 km south of Gütersloh and 25 km north-west of Paderborn in the region Ostwestfalen-Lippe. The town is located at the river Ems. There are 28,878 people living in Rietberg.

Rietberg was first mentioned as ‘Rietbike’ around the year 1100. This name refers to Ried which is an old name for reed and to ‘Bach’ which means creek. There was a castle that dated back to the 11th century. From 1237, it was home to the family of Wenzel Adam von Kaunitz, Count Rietberg. From this time on the part ‘Berg’ in the name Rietberg refers to the existence of a castle which is called ‘Burg’ in German. Since that time Rietberg was an independent German territory until the year 1807. In the Middle Ages the Rietberg county was a very small state. Nevertheless, Rietberg had its own militia, its own currency and its own laws. Even foreign policy, on a small scale, was conducted independently. Until the 17th century Rietberg coined its own money. Until the 18th century the government was located in the Palace, built in the 14th century.

At the beginning of the 19th century the Palace was torn down because it was not needed anymore. Only the St. John’s Chapel from 1748 can still be visited today.

In the year 1807 Rietberg became a part of Kingdom of Westphalia, while the title Count Rietberg remains extant in the House of Liechtenstein, with Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein and each born member of his dynasty and their dynastic wives bearing the title currently.