Indulgence Penny

The Ablasspfennig is a rare and historically significant object in numismatic terms, closely linked to the practice of indulgences in the Middle Ages and early modern period. It is not a classic coin in the economic sense, but rather a commemorative or souvenir coin that was issued in connection with the purchase of a church indulgence. Such pennies were often issued as visible proof or as religious souvenirs for donations with which believers could, according to the teachings of the time, buy their way out of temporal punishment for their sins.
From a numismatic point of view, indulgence pennies are considered devotional objects – items of religious worship – and are now valuable collector’s items that provide deep insights into the history of piety and the monetized understanding of faith in their time. Many of these coins date from the late 15th and early 16th centuries, a period when the trade in indulgences played a central role in financing church projects. Particularly well known is the connection between such indulgence practices and the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, as well as the emergence of indulgence preachers such as Johann Tetzel – events that ultimately triggered the Reformation by Martin Luther.
In terms of design, indulgence pennies often feature religious motifs such as the cross, the Holy Family, Jesus Christ, saints, or even ecclesiastical coats of arms. Inscriptions in Latin or the respective national language indicate the purpose of the indulgence or the issuing institution. These coins were often made of base metals such as tin or brass, and less commonly of silver. The low mintage of many pieces, their condition, and their historical classification determine their collector’s value today and make them sought-after items on the numismatic market.
For numismatists, the analysis of indulgence pennies represents an exciting intersection between religious symbolism, social history, and the art of coinage. They not only document the influence of the Church on people’s everyday lives, but also reflect changes in ecclesiastical power relations and religious practices. At the same time, they illustrate how closely monetary transactions and religious beliefs were intertwined in the late Middle Ages. Anyone interested in indulgence pennies will find themselves immersed in an era of upheaval that had a lasting impact not only on coinage but also on the entire intellectual history of Europe.