Hesse-Kassel

Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel (1567-1803), Electorate of Hesse (1803-1807, 1813-1866)

Free Imperial City of the Holy Roman Empire (1567-1806), Independent Electorate (1806-1807, 1813-1866)

Location: Central Germany

Capital City: Kassel

Government type: Absolute Monarchy

Main languages: German

Main religions: Protestant Christianity

Note: Even though the title of Elector was largely meaningless after the end of the Holy Roman Empire, with no emperor to elect anymore, the Elector of Hesse-Kassel, Wilhelm I, chose to keep the title, preferring it over the offer of Grand Duke from the Congress of Vienna, seeing it as a downgrade from the electoral title.

Chronology

1567: The Landgraviate of Hesse is split into four states, including Hesse-Kassel

1730-1751: Personal Union with Sweden

1757-1762: Occupied by France

1803: Raised to Electorate

1807: Made part of the Kingdom of Westphalia

1813: Electorate restored

1866: Annexed by Prussia

Currency

First Thaler (1567-1803)

1 Thaler = 32 Albus = 288 Pfennig = 384 Heller

Second Thaler (1803-1840)

1 Thaler = 384 Heller

Third Thaler (1841-1866)

1 Thaler = 30 Silbergroschen = 720 Heller

Coins from Hesse-Kassel in the collection

Landgraviate (1567-1803)

•4 Heller, 1736 (Landgrave Friedrich I (1730-1751), billon, KM#402.1)

Restored Electorate (1813-1866)

•1/6 Thaler, 1830 (Elector Wilhelm II (1821-1847), silver (.500), Kassel mint, KM#579)