Nuremberg, jeton with moneychanger and counting table

From the late 13th century to the end of the 14th century, purpose-made jetons were produced in England, similar in design to contemporary Edwardian pennies. Although they were made of brass they were often pierced or indented at the centre to avoid them being plated with silver and pass them off as real silver coins. Throughout the 15th century, competition from France and the Low Countries ended jeton manufacture in England, but this did not last long. Nuremberg jeton masters initially started by copying counters of their European neighbours, but by the mid 16th century they gained a monopoly by mass-producing cheaper jetons.

This jeton is made by Wolf Lauffer I, master jeton maker from 1554-1601.

Many members of the Lauffer family were master jeton makers in Nuremberg. His four sons were also master jeton makers: Wolf Laufer II, Georg, Hans and Mathaus.