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Holy Roman Empire, Republic of Lucerne, Angster

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Holy Roman Empire, Republic of Lucerne, Angster (obverse) Holy Roman Empire, Republic of Lucerne, Angster (reverse)

This little coin with the smiling Saint Leodegar is an angster. Such coins were only minted in the territory of the Old Swiss Confederacy, medieval Switzerland.

The name angster most probably derived from the Latin word 'angustus,' meaning 'thin.' This type from Lucerne was called 'Bäggliangster' in popular speech, 'cheek-angster' thus; the origin of this name is obvious.

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