A very rare thaler of Wladyslaw IV Vasa of Bydgoszcz.
A nicely preserved piece in an aged, dark patina.
Very well preserved details. The rim with traces of corrections. Glossy background on both sides, rubbed on the obverse, on the reverse with beautifully preserved mirror. Definitely an above average piece.
Typologically prized coin in an old, even patina.
Obverse: bust of the king to the right
VLAD IIII D G REX POL M D LITV RVS PRVS MA
Reverse: coat of arms shield, on the sides mint mark hooks, date and initials G-G Gabriel Gerlöff, at the bottom letters B-S
SAM LIV NEC NO SV GOT VAN Q HAE REX
Diameter 43 mm, weight 28.35 g
During the reign of Ladislaus IV, a ban on minting small coinage, enacted back in the days of his predecessor, was in effect. It covered both state and municipal mints. Thus the crown mints in Bydgoszcz, and then from 1644 in Cracow, minted only half-talars, thalers, ducats and multiples thereof. The mint production of the Prussian cities of Gdansk, Torun and Elblag was similar. The Lithuanian mint was not working at the time. An exception was a trial portugal minted in 1640. A trial series of trojaks, sixpences and orts was also prepared by the Bydgoszcz mint in 1635. In addition to the above-mentioned issues, the minting of Wladyslaw Vasa also includes the kopecks b. d. from the time when Prince Wladyslaw was elected tsar of Moscow and the three-crashers of the Duchy of Opole-Racibor from 1647.
