It consisted of the right to issue regulations governing the production and use of coins.
[4][5] In imitation of Ancient Rome, the Frankish crown was since Charlemagne a strongly centralized government and this included the right of coinage.
From the 11th century, it was also granted to secular princes, and later to towns and cities.
In 1648, other imperial estates (Reichsstände) were granted the right of coinage.
Nevertheless, the sovereignty over coinage officially remained with the Holy Roman Emperor.