The guldengroschen, or guldiner, was created as counterpart to the goldgulden: both coins ought to be of the same value. Since gold was much more valuable than silver, the guldengroschen was accordingly large. However, the parity of silver and gold coins soon proved difficult. While the price for gold went up, the silver content of many guldiners dropped. The emperors therefore enacted diverse orders to ensure the quality of silver coins.
In 1551, the price of a reichsguldiner was set on 72 kreuzers. The value had to be imprinted on the coin. The reverse of the coin had to bear the imperial eagle, while the obverse was at free disposal of the mint authority. This reichsguldiner of 72 kreuzers might have been one of the last of his kind: in 1559, the parity of gold and silver coins was given up for good.