It seems to me this application of coins/tokens is most likely a traditional extension of varying practices.
In describing Turkish armour in his "Oriental Armour" (1967, p.63), H.R.Robinson notes that among the 'spahis' the mail shirts were among the last armour discarded, except the shields, and that ,"...the attachment of brass stars, studs and mounted jewels was not an uncommon means employed to embellish the plain undecorated mail shirt in the 16th century, a custom found also found in Russia and eastern Europe, and no doubt a survival from the habit of attaching protective amulets in the vital areas of the mail".
It does seem possible that this may fall in line with the highly superstitious period in Germany during the Thirty Years War where certain coins were believed to ward off bullets and used as amulets. This became one element of these applications which became known as 'Passau Art', the term used rather generically.
The application of coins to various weapons is well known, as in Arabia where Venetian ducats were used, as well as Austrian thalers.
Robert Elgood in "The Arms and Armour of Arabia" (1994) notes that ordinary people in Syria wear daggers with money nailed to the hilt.
He also notes a reference from G.Wyman Bury ("The Land of Uz", London, 1911) :
"...his dagger sheath was silver, heavily studded with cornelians, and on the hilt shone discs of gold".
The discs of gold were Venetian ducats (mushakhkhas) or replicas which are frequently used in SW Arabia for decorating weapons.
It seems that the practice of applying coins to hilts is well known in Ethiopia where the pommel of shotels often have a Maria Theresa thaler emplaced. The silver thaler, seemingly most dated 1780, became the currency of trade in the Middle East, and became known as the Levantine thaler.
While these applications seem mostly to imply quality and wealth, as well as aesthetic appeal, the idea of the touch coin (good luck charm) or apotropaic value cannot be discounted.
In Mexico it is not uncommon to see the sabres of Mexican rurales of the 19th century with pesos nailed to the pommel. In ancient Roman times a coin was often placed under the mast for protection against the perils of the sea.
The use of these German tokens seems likely following a generally held tradition mostly in a decorative sense, but recalling the apotropaic and popular beliefs previously in mind.
All best regards,
Jim
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