Knight of Coins Schaffenhouse Tarot 1890

Authentication & Provenance Document

Card Name: Cavalier de Denier (Knight of Coins)

Deck Title: Tarot de Marseille - Schaffhouse Edition

Date of Manufacture: Circa 1890

Origin: Schaffhausen (Schaffhouse), Switzerland

Language: French

Suit: Deniers (Coins)

Card Type: Court Card – Knight

Material: Early cardstock with traditional woodblock-style printing, hand-stenciled coloration

Description & Features:

This card is an original Knight of Coins from an 1890 printing of the Schaffhouse Tarot deck, an authentic regional version of the Tarot de Marseille. It features a noble cavalier seated upon a stylized horse, dressed in ornate 19th-century costume with a prominent red cap and multicolored robe. The knight holds a long staff diagonally across his chest, while a golden coin bearing a floral motif floats prominently in the air to his right.

The color palette includes saturated reds, greens, blues, and ochres, applied by hand using traditional stencil techniques of the late 1800s. Notably, the reverse of the card features a yellow base overlaid with a tight, intricate black plaid crosshatch pattern—a distinct marker of the Schaffhouse printing lineage. The presence of this design strongly confirms the deck's geographic and historical origin.

Condition:

Very good antique condition. The card shows light natural wear consistent with age and handling, including softening at the edges and a warm patina across the surface. Colors remain vivid and structurally sound. The card is preserved in a crystal-clear archival case for protection and display.

Historical Context:

Produced in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, around 1890, this deck emerged during a renaissance in European Tarot production. It carries the artistic legacy of Marseille-style symbolism combined with regional Swiss aesthetics. The Schaffhouse decks are rarer than their French counterparts and are valued for their unique coloration, card back design, and limited production.

Authenticity Confirmation:

This card has been visually examined and authenticated based on its:

* Period-authentic woodblock printing and stencil coloration

* Crosshatched Orange-blue-and-black card reverse exclusive to Schaffhouse decks

* Typeface, iconography, and materials consistent with verified late 19th-century examples

* Provenance from a collector with knowledge of pre-1900 Continental tarot decks

Authenticated by: Nicholas C O'Donnell

Company: The Tarot Authority LLC