are large sil- ver coins of the value of from two to sixteen Speciesthaler, issued by Julius, Duke of Brtinswick-Luneburg (1568- 1589), and made from the product of his silver mines.

These coins owe their origin to an ordi- nance of the Duke to the effect that every one of his subjects, according to their rank and station, was to redeem one of these coins (Loser, i.e., redeemer), and be pre- pared to account for the same whenever demanded. They could pawn them in case of necessity but were not allowed to sell or exchange them. By this arrangement the Duke was always kept informed as to the amount, of silver money in his do- minions which he could levy upon in case of necessity. The latter exigency never arose, nevertheless these coins are scarce, although a large number were struck.

They were made at Heinrichstadt, and bear on the reverse the ducal armorial shield supported by two wild men. See Wildemannsthaler.