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Holy Roman Empire, Archbishopric Salzburg, Franz Anton of Harrach, Ducat 1716

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Holy Roman Empire, Archbishopric Salzburg, Franz Anton of Harrach, Ducat 1716 (obverse) Holy Roman Empire, Archbishopric Salzburg, Franz Anton of Harrach, Ducat 1716 (reverse)

The farmers of Salzburg lived relatively prosperous lives during the 18th century. All the same, the written sources contain a lot of complaints like "the farmers were moaning about the pressure from the servants," and that "the unrestrained servants were an expensive menace." Around 1700, a maids annual salary came to half a ducat, while a male farmhand earned about one and a half ducats. Additionally both received free board and lodging, clothes, shoes and underwear, and the servants were entitled to a share from the sale of livestock. Yet in the course of the century, wages for maids and farmhands increased considerably. Around 1800, a maid was earning six and a half ducats per year and a farmhand twelve, board, lodging and clothes included.

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