This iron coin depicting a a crest with an anchor and two crossed swords was issued by the City of Solingen and was meant to be used as small change. Solingen was located in the Rhine Province, part of the free state of Prussia (formerly a kingdom). The northern parts of the Rhine Province were joined to Westphalia, as well as the Former state of Lippe, to form the current state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the largest German State.

With a history that spans over a thousand years, Solingen has been the residence of the Count of Bergs, and the home to many industries such as hardware, brewing, weaving, and brick making. But Solingen is best known for its foundries, metal working, and most of all swords, knives, cutlery, all things with blades. Swords from Solingen have been traded all over Europe and even the British Isles for a thousand years.

Solingen today remains the knife-center of Germany. Like most old European cities it mixes modern life with a preservation of the old and tradition. Although much of it was destroyed during WWII there are still lovely old buildings and it is home to the Rheinisches Industriemuseum (Rhineland Industrial Museum), with a working forge, and the Deutsches Klingenmuseum (German Blade Museum) presenting swords and cutlery through the ages.