Jetton, foreign, issued at Nuremberg, Germany.

Brass reckoning counter, or jetton

Nuremberg, Germany, 16th-17th century

In daily business jettons were most commonly used for reckoning accounts, used on a checker-board in the manner of an abacus. In the 16th century and later, Nuremberg was responsible for the production of vast quantities of such counters. The Laufer family were prominent Nuremberg makers and this example is of a type of stock-jetton found in great numbers in England, which persisted throughout the 17th century. The reverse depicts the Reichsapfel, or orb, and the legend WOLF.LAVFER.IN.NVRNBE--.