GERMANY. Nuremberg, 1 "Kerzendreir" token, c.1700. Obverse; UNSER SUSSESTER BERUF, two birds facing each other, KERZEN in exergue, reverse; IST DAS GLÜCK DER LIEBE , cockerel mounting hen, DREIER in exergue. 16mm, 0.6g, NF, billon, attempted piercing.
Kerzendreier were religious-themed tokens, coined in Nuremberg in the early 18th century. They were generally minted in silver and originally had a value of 3 kreuzer: hence the name - literally a 3 piece for candles. Sometimes they were also called Taufpfennig, or pfennig for baptism: in fact it was used for the purchase of the candles (Kerzen) of the Altar or as an offering (with a candle) at the time of Baptism; it was often tied to the candle or dipped in wax. In popular tradition, throwing a Kerzendreier protected the infant from evil. (reference; https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces85067.html
)
