Tradition Meets Craftsmanship: Coin Minting as a Highlight of the Garden Show
By Sebastian Wieschowski
When thinking of tourist coin machines, many picture a simple crank mechanism that flattens cent coins into souvenirs. However, at the Garden Show in Freudenstadt and Baiersbronn, running from 23 May 2025 to 12 October 2025, visitors will experience authentic craftsmanship: a professional minting station that produces medals using traditional techniques.
Instead of a basic lever-operated machine, a complex device is used, where hammer strikes imprint relief designs onto metal blanks. The chosen motif is a stag—a tribute to the city’s rich numismatic history.
This Hirschgulden was auctioned by Künker for €220 in March 2020. A reproduction is now set to become a highlight of a garden show in Baden-Württemberg. Photo: Künker Auction 335, lot 4442 / Background: Ulrike Klumpp / Gartenschau “Tal X”
The centrepiece of this attraction, a minting machine from Austria, arrived at the city museum in several heavy packages. There, Jürgen Schnurr and Rainer Pfennig from the museum association now face the task of assembling the high-precision apparatus. What initially seemed like a mechanical puzzle turned out to be a meticulous process, involving safety precautions, fine adjustments, and a detailed instruction manual—making setup a true test of patience.
First Test Minting: A Stag in the Mist
After hours of tinkering, the moment finally arrived: the first blank was placed in the machine and struck with a precise hammer blow. The result? A faint stag relief that initially lacked the desired clarity. However, after fine-tuning the pressure mechanism and conducting further tests, the design became sharper—echoing a legendary predecessor: the historic Hirschgulden.
A Piece of Coinage History to Hold
Coins were minted in Freudenstadt as early as the 17th century, including the infamous Hirschgulden. At the time, it was controversial due to its lower-than-promised silver content, which contributed to inflation. Despite this, the Hirschgulden remains a significant part of the region’s numismatic history. The new commemorative medal carries on this tradition, featuring a stylised stag design on one side and the “Tal X” Garden Show logo on the other.
Crafting Your Own Commemorative Medal
During the Garden Show, visitors will have a unique opportunity to get hands-on: at the minting station, they can strike their own medal with a hammer and take home a handcrafted souvenir. This not only creates a special keepsake but also connects participants to the long-standing tradition of coin minting in Freudenstadt. Just a few metres from the historical minting site of the Hirschgulden, guests can now experience firsthand how force and precision transform a metal blank into an intricate relief.
