Extremely rare Sigismund III Vasa Thorvnensis quartertalar, a denomination known only from the collections of Czapski, Sobanski, Potocki and Frankiewicz.
A variety with the inscription THORVNENSI on the reverse, marked in Corpvs Nvmmorvm Civitatis Thorvnensis with a rarity grade of R8, which means that only 2-3 pieces of this coin were known to the catalog's authors.
The item, which was listed only once at auctions in Poland, and in 2003 was sold at a WCN auction for the then enormous sum of PLN 58,300. The second known quartertalar in the THORVNENSI variety on display appeared in Merzbacher's auction catalog in 1896, during the sale of the Jungfer Collection from Berlin.
The quarter-talars minted in Torun, belonged to a proof issue, but due to the fact that they bore the 1/4 denomination marking, they were considered an ortho coin. Consequently, they fell under the statutory ban on minting small coinage issued by Sigismund III Vasa in 1627. Hence, over the course of many years, one can observe a virtually complete absence of this coin on the auction market (only the above two listings).
The last opportunity to purchase a Torun quartertalar occurred 18 years ago and, after the sale of our piece, it may not happen again for many more years. We offer you a unique opportunity to acquire an extremely rare and highly desirable item.
An item unquestionably among the best collections of Royal Poland - highly Recommended!
Obverse: thick bust of the king wearing a crown and armor adorned with the chain of the Order of the Golden Fleece, with a crest protruding, in his bent hand a sword supported on his shoulder and a royal apple in his other hand
✿ SIG-III-D-G-REX-POL-ET-SVEC-M-D-L-R-P ✿
Reverse: an angel with long wings holds a shield with the city coat of arms (a gate with three towers), under the shield the initials H-L of Hans Lippe, the date in the inscription, at the bottom the denomination 1/4 in an oval interrupts the inscription at the bottom
✿ MON-NO-ARG-CIVIT (1/4) THORVNENSI-1630 ✿
Weight 6.92 g, diameter 28-29 mm
