my collection.part 1

This is the oldest coin from my collection, a denier of Lithuanian grand duke and Polish king - Sigismundus Augustus. At the obverse (main side) Lithuanian coat of arms - knight on a horse is depicted, below - year 1553. At the second side - Polish coat of arms, white Eagle.
It was a golden age for Lithuania. The land prospered, the Grand duke did all his best his land to prosper. His court was known to exceed in riches even Pope's court and the ambassadors of all lands were surprised by its riches. The library of the Sigismundus Augustus was a huge one.
In numismatics it was a golden age too. All nominals were minted, starting with half denier (20 such coins= 1 Lithuanian groat) ending with portugal (10 ducats, some 35 grams pure gold). After the death of his mother, Queen Bona Sforza, he received some thalers from her heritage and countermarked them. Thus foreign currency became legal tender in Lithuania, at least temporaly. Soon they were withdrawn by state authorities.
This small coin was found in the city of Trakai (once capital of Lithuania, at that time - a little town)near the house. With it came another coin, which I will show next time.
These coins had to be minted according to the following stardards:
weight:~0,32 g
fine- 220
they were minted at 1545-1560 and 1563 years. Some probe coins dated 1547, 1552 and without years are known.
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If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.