Thurgau Gulden

Thurgau's gulden coins often bore a bull on their reverse, directly lifted from the canton's coat of arms to underscore its agrarian wealth.

This silver currency circulated in Thurgau from 1650 to 1798, a span that saw the coins evolve with changing designs and weights. Early issues weighed around 10 grams, reflecting the South German gulden standard, but later ones varied as silver supplies fluctuated. They were struck in places like Frauenfeld, though records of exact mint locations are spotty.

We know these gulden served trade in a patchwork of Swiss cantons, but myths about their rarity persist. Some years might have seen thousands produced; others, far fewer. Mintage figures? Burned in an 1838 archive fire, so we're left guessing.

Design-wise, the bull motif was straightforward, no frills—just a symbol of local pride. As for humor, I'll say this: Overhyped coins get all the attention; these just get the job done.