Trojak with which began the history of the denomination, which in subsequent years conquered Europe.
The first trojak, and also the first Polish crown coin, on which a modern portrait of the king appears.
A large, striking coin with a diameter of almost 30 mm (Sigismund III's trojak was a mere 20 mm), the creation of which is the result of Poland's struggle against the "sub-value" Świdnica half-penny issue.
On October 15, 1526, after almost 10 years of unsuccessful struggle to withdraw the coins of Ludwig (nephew of Sigismund I) flooding Poland, a new minting ordinance is introduced. Among the coins previously issued (such as denars and pennies), types of coins previously unknown in Polish minting are introduced, including the three-grosz coin.
The bullion for their minting was decided to be obtained from melted down Świdnica half-pennies. The triprockets, according to the minting ordinance, were to contain 2.32 grams of pure silver. The use of low proof silver (a mere 6-ounce sample), made the coins relatively large in size.
Very rare.
Few pieces of this distinctive issue have survived to this day, due to both the low-quality bullion being very susceptible to oxidation and Copernicus' law (inferior money drives out superior money).
The present piece is outstanding for this issue. Very well preserved surface silvering, with a single larger chip in front of the king's head. Also good minting quality.
The only vintage of Sigismund I's Cracow trojak.
Variety with the head of the Eagle to the left.
Silver, diameter 29.5 mm, weight 5.37 g.
