2. The billon divisional money (minted primarily for the Provincial States of Prussia) was greatly increased in the amount of its issue, but depreciated in standard on a varying scale according to the districts intended, Silesia, Cleves, etc., reaching in some cases even to an 18-thaler standard. Up to 1772 there was issued in these depreciated single and double-groschen pieces an amount equal to 8,979,189 thalers. Subsequently, the standard of divisional money was reduced to 21 thalers, and at this rate, up to the death of Frederick in 1786, there were issued in 6-pfennige and other pieces 12,586,863 thalers' worth. From this time onward, up to the decrying of this depreciated divisional money at the peace of Tilsit, there was minted a matter of 29,628,807 thaler worth. The total, therefore, was 42,215,670 thalers; the pure silver content of which was only 28,243,780 thalers. By the publicandum of 4th May 1808, and the edict of 13th December 1811, the value of this mass was reduced, the coins being set at from two-thirds to four-sevenths of their normal value, so that-- 42 groschens } } = 1 good thaler. 52-1/2 " (Bohemia) } but it was not till the law of 30th September 1821 that a recoinage could be accomplished. The provisions of this law of 1821 were as follows:-- 1. Gold-- Friedrichs d'or as hitherto, viz. 35 to the mark = 5 thalers. 4. Silver-- Prussian thaler as before, 10-1/2 to the mark gross (= 14 to the mark fine). 7. Thaler to be subdivided into 30 groschens 12 pfennige; the latter tenderable only up to 1/6 thaler. 8. Silver groschen = 106-2/3 to the mark, 2/9 silver (= 16 thalers to the mark fine). By the law of 1821, this standard came into operation in 1626, and it remained the standard for Prussia and her provinces until the developments in modern times, specified in the text, p. 215. At the convention of Dresden, 30th July 1838, the Prussian 14-thaler or 21-gulden standard was adopted, along with the South German or 24-1/2-gulden standard as the standard of the German Zollverein. Subsequent to that date the Prussian system was adopted by Hanover, Brunswick, Oldenburg, Mecklenburg, Waldeck, Lippe, etc. PRUSSIAN MINTINGS FROM THE REFORM OF 1809 TO THE END OF 1836. Thaler pieces 70,850,560 1/6 " " 16,942,307 ---------- 87,792,867 Full-weighted silver previously in currency 95,709,282 ----------- Total of full-weighted silver 183,502,149 =========== One-third pieces, minted 1809-11 237,151 Billon divisional money, minted 1821-36 2,949,760 ----------- Thalers 186,689,060 Withdrawn since 1809-36--