3609) More Coins Found at Wiślica, Poland:
During the 1960s and 1970s, more than 500 medieval coins
were discovered at the site. In August this year, 12 more silver coins were
discovered.
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The
discovery of yet more coins at a dig site in Poland that began in the 1960s has
resurrected interest in what is known as the Wiślica trove.
Wiślica is a town that has a population of about 500 to 600. The town was established prior to the founding of the Polish state in the 10th century.
It may have been established as the capital of the
Vistulans Slavic tribe due to being close to commercial routes between Kraków
and Sandomierz. The region was later under the control of Great Moravia and
Bohemia, these two regions in turn brought under the control of Duke Mieszko I
of Poland after 990.
The surviving archeological remains of ancient Wiślica date from the late 12th century.
The town had a sophisticated street system that was advanced for that time. Wiślica was also divided into 10 sub-settlements and served as the capital of the Duchy of Wiślica between 1166 and 1173.
Helen of Znojmo, wife of Prince Kazimierz Sprawiedliwy (“the Just”) designated the town as a cultural center.
It has been suggested by historians
that Wiślica was likely pillaged by the Mongols during their 1241 invasion of
Europe.
Hillforts (or motte) that have more recently been named “Hillfort” and “Regia” appear to have been built during the 10th century.
Regia appears to have been destroyed during the third quarter of the 10th century.
Wiślica was under siege by Ruthenian and Polovts tribes in 1135.
During the
13th century, a stone wall was erected due to an attempt by Władysław “the
Short” to seize Wiślica. The hill on which the wall is situated was used as an
artillery position by the occupying Russian Army during World War I, with many
of the stones being taken away later by local citizens to build their homes.
In 1929 the site of both Wiślica motte were declared to be a reserve of the State Archaeological Museum in Warsaw.
Today there are eight archaeological dig sites in Wiślica including the two motte, the village “Grodzisko” and the Gothic collegiate church.
A Romanesque-style floor was
discovered during the excavation of a burial crypt at a chapel. Grodzisko was
the site of the political struggles of Władysław Łokietek over Lesser Poland
during the late 13th and early 14th centuries as well as a princely residence
between the reigns of Henryk Sandomierski (1131-1166) and Kazimierz
Sprawiedliwy or “the Just” (1138-1194).
During the 1960s and 1970s, more than 500 medieval coins were discovered at the site, then dubbed the Wiślica trove.
In August this
year, 12 silver coins were discovered, 11 of which date from the reign of
Bolesław II “the Bold” (ruled 1058-1079) and the other from the reign of
Władysław I Herman (ruled 1079-1102).
Following a pause Boleslaw II re-started minting coins in 1070.
It has been estimated between 800,000 and several million silver denarii were produced.
His denar coinage was based on the mark ("grzywna") rather than on the previously used Carolingian pound weight standard.
A dinar would have an average weight of 0.85 grams, this being based on 240 denars being minted from one mark of silver under the mark or grzywna standard. Modern studies indicate many of Boleslaw II’s coins actually weigh about 0.7 grams.
The duke further
debased his coinage to between less than 21 and 50 percent silver.
Most early Polish coinage cannot be attributed to a specific mint, although it is known the principal mint was situated at Cracow once the national capital was moved there during the 11th century.
Several local dukes minted their own coinage beginning in the 1170s.
Boleslaw II’s
coins display a personification, likely the duke, on the obverse. The reverse
of his coins depict a horseman, a stylised building with three towers, or a
figure fighting a dragon on the reverse.
Władysław I’s denars depict a head on the obverse, with a stylised building with three towers on the reverse.
Gliński acknowledged the Świętokrzyska Exploration Group, a society of amateur metal-detecting enthusiasts who assisted the archaeologists during their excavations.
A second-century ancient Roman fibula was also found at the dig site, however according to Gliński the fibula “does not significantly affect the now recognized history of the site,” adding, “We can only speculate on how it ended up here.”
Links on posts from Poland:
Links to other posts on Ukrainian Coins/Banknotes on this Blog:
7) "Sovka roskoshnaja" ("Staurophora celsia") Moth, Ukraine: Sterling Silver Proof (10 Hryvnia) and Cupro-nickel (2 Hrvynia) coins issued under its "Native Flora and Fauna Coin Series" by the National Bank of Ukraine
8) 1075 years since Princess Olga (890-969 AD), Ukraine: A Silver Proof Coin brought out by the National Bank of Ukraine,minted by the Ukrainian Mint: Year of issue: 2020
1) A 100 Rouble Banknote issued by Russia to commemorate the XXII Winter Olympics - (07-23 February 2014) held at Sochi, Russia
2) Commemorative Coins issued when the 1980 22nd Summer Olympics were held in Moscow (19.07.1980 to 03.08.1980)
3) 2018 "Federation Internationale de Football Association" (FIFA) World Cup being held in Russia between 14.06.2018 &15.07.2018: Some Coins and stamps issued by Russia, Australia, Hungary, Spain & France to commemorate the Tournament/Championship
4) "Ancient Postal Routes - the Kholmogory post road (Arkhangelsk - Vologda - Yaroclavi - Moscow), Russia: Europa 2020 theme: A stamp brought out by "Pochta Rossii"(Russian Post) featuring this important post road: Date of Stamp issue: 15.01.2020
Rajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very Nice."
Thank you so much, Trikha sahab.
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