553) King Sigismund III Vasa 100 Gold Ducats: "History of Polish Coins" Series: minted by Mint of Poland for the Narodowy Bank Polski, issued on 12.07.2017:
The Bank of Poland has issued a new coin which is part of its on-going series titled "History of Polish Coins". The Commemorative coin of 20 Zlotych has been minted by the Mint of Poland for the Narodowy Bank Polski.
This coin depicts the famed 100 Ducat Coin of Sigismund III Vasa and illustrates the history of Polish coinage in the first half of the 17th Century.
About King Sigismund III Vasa (1537-1632):
The reign of King Sigismund III Vasa was considered a golden era in the history of Polish coinage. He was born in Sweden, as the eldest son of King John III of Sweden and Catherine Jagiellon, a Polish princess, he was elected to the united Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1587.
He also succeeded his father as King of Sweden in 1592 and sought to unite both crowns until his deposition from the Swedish throne in 1599 by his uncle, who became King Charles IX of Sweden until his death in 1611.
Coining Polish mints during this period:
Various mints were in operation at that time and in addition to the old facilities, new ones were also set up, the most important one being the minting facility set up in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
All these mints were minting great quantities of coins of various denominations. Mintage was affected by various European economic crises of the time, as a result, the smaller silver coins suffered from inflation, but these crises did not affect the full-value gold coins.
Under Sigismund III Vasa, the coins of Poland reflected Swedish influence, typified by the Ort or 6 Groschen. The designs of the 17th century showed influences of Germany, Spain and Italy, as well.
The 100 Ducat Gold Coin of the Bydgoszcz mint:
The 100 Ducat coin minted in Bydgoszcz generated particular interest of the users both for its beauty & value.
The dies used for minting this coin were crafted by the excellent Gdarisk based medallier -Samuel Ammon (1591-1622), who came from Schaffhausen in Switzerland.
On the Obverse of this 100 Ducat Gold Coin was depicted a right facing bust of the King, unusually shown without wearing his crown and in a richly ornamented armour.
Under the bust, the coin bears the medallier's initials "SA" and the date "1621". Along the periphery is an inscription "E SIGISMVNDV S.III. D.G.POLONI. ET. SWECIAE. REXE." (meaning "Sigismund III, By the Grace of God, King of Poland and Sweden").
On the Reverse of this 100 Ducat Gold Coin is depicted beneath a crown, a nine-field shield with the Coat of Arms of Poland and Lithuania, as well as Sweden and Gotland, with the Vasa crest in the middle.
On both sides of the shield are the initials of the Mint-master of the Bydgoszcz mint, Jacob Jacobson van Emden: "JJ" on the left and "VE" on the right.
Above the crown are the numerals representing the year of issue "16" and "21". Along the periphery is a continuation of the King's title "EMADNVS.DVX.LITVAN:RVSS:-PRVSS:MAS:SAM:
LIVON:ZC:E" (MEANING "Magnus Dux Lituaniae, Russiae, Prussiae, Masoviae, Samogitiae, Livoniae etc - standing for "Grand Duke of Lithuania, Ruthenia, Prussia, Masovia, Samogitia, Livonia etc.").
This 100 Ducat coin is the most impressive Polish coin minted. It originally measured almost 70 mm in diameter and weighted 348.3 grams of Gold. The mintage of these coins was done primarily to serve as gifts for visiting dignitaries and distinguished guests.
A few specimens/pieces of full weight have survived presently, however, some of the surviving Gold coins are much lighter weighing to the equivalent of 90, 60 or 30 Ducats and even made of Silver equivalent to 10 or even 3.5 Thalers.
Interestingly, all the 100 Ducat coins - Gold and Silver - were minted with a single pair of dies.
The present Commemorative issue depicting the 100 Ducat Coin:
The Reverse of the modern 20 Zlotych coin made by the Mint of Poland is a recreation of King Sigismund III Vasa's bust from the obverse of the original 100 Ducat Gold coin and bears the inscription - "100 DIKATOW ZYGMUNTA III (meaning "100 Ducats of Sigismund III Vasa").
The Obverse of the modern 20 Zlotych coin issued under the present Series depicts the Reverse of the original historic 100 Ducat Gold Coin and in line with tradition, presents the image of the Polish insignia/emblem, with the eagle and the name of the State, the face value and the year of issue along with the denomination "20 Zlotych".
The peripheral inscription is similar to the original 100 Ducat Coin and reads "EMADNVS.DVX. LITVAN: RVSS:- PRVSS:MAS:SAM:LIVON:ZC:E" (MEANING "Magnus Dux Lituaniae, Russiae, Prussiae, Masoviae, Samogitiae, Livoniae etc - standing for "Grand Duke of Lithuania, Ruthenia, Prussia, Masovia, Samogitia, Livonia etc.").
The specifications of 20 Zlotych Commemorative coin:
Denomination: 20 Zlotych; Metallic Composition: .925 Silver; Weight: 28.2 Grams; Diameter/Size: 38.6 mm; Coin Quality: Proof with selective Gold plating; Maximum Mintage: 18,000 pieces; Year of issue: 2017; General Remarks: The coin is encased in a protective capsule and placed in a custom-made presentation box with a certificate of authenticity.
Under the bust, the coin bears the medallier's initials "SA" and the date "1621". Along the periphery is an inscription "E SIGISMVNDV S.III. D.G.POLONI. ET. SWECIAE. REXE." (meaning "Sigismund III, By the Grace of God, King of Poland and Sweden").
On the Reverse of this 100 Ducat Gold Coin is depicted beneath a crown, a nine-field shield with the Coat of Arms of Poland and Lithuania, as well as Sweden and Gotland, with the Vasa crest in the middle.
On both sides of the shield are the initials of the Mint-master of the Bydgoszcz mint, Jacob Jacobson van Emden: "JJ" on the left and "VE" on the right.
Above the crown are the numerals representing the year of issue "16" and "21". Along the periphery is a continuation of the King's title "EMADNVS.DVX.LITVAN:RVSS:-PRVSS:MAS:SAM:
LIVON:ZC:E" (MEANING "Magnus Dux Lituaniae, Russiae, Prussiae, Masoviae, Samogitiae, Livoniae etc - standing for "Grand Duke of Lithuania, Ruthenia, Prussia, Masovia, Samogitia, Livonia etc.").
This 100 Ducat coin is the most impressive Polish coin minted. It originally measured almost 70 mm in diameter and weighted 348.3 grams of Gold. The mintage of these coins was done primarily to serve as gifts for visiting dignitaries and distinguished guests.
A few specimens/pieces of full weight have survived presently, however, some of the surviving Gold coins are much lighter weighing to the equivalent of 90, 60 or 30 Ducats and even made of Silver equivalent to 10 or even 3.5 Thalers.
Interestingly, all the 100 Ducat coins - Gold and Silver - were minted with a single pair of dies.
The present Commemorative issue depicting the 100 Ducat Coin:
The peripheral inscription is similar to the original 100 Ducat Coin and reads "EMADNVS.DVX. LITVAN: RVSS:- PRVSS:MAS:SAM:LIVON:ZC:E" (MEANING "Magnus Dux Lituaniae, Russiae, Prussiae, Masoviae, Samogitiae, Livoniae etc - standing for "Grand Duke of Lithuania, Ruthenia, Prussia, Masovia, Samogitia, Livonia etc.").
The specifications of 20 Zlotych Commemorative coin:
Denomination: 20 Zlotych; Metallic Composition: .925 Silver; Weight: 28.2 Grams; Diameter/Size: 38.6 mm; Coin Quality: Proof with selective Gold plating; Maximum Mintage: 18,000 pieces; Year of issue: 2017; General Remarks: The coin is encased in a protective capsule and placed in a custom-made presentation box with a certificate of authenticity.
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