One of the rarest groszy coins of Sigismund II Augustus.
A Vilnius grosz minted in the Lithuanian standard in 1545—the coin that marked the beginning of grosz minting during this ruler’s reign. It was struck one year before the mint began producing grosz coins in the Polish standard at this mint.
This issue is consistently rated by catalog compilers as having the highest rarity grade (R8) and was valued by Tyszkiewicz at 75 marks!
A variant featuring the Column coat of arms, dividing the reverse legend, placed between two stars, above a circle. This variety was known to Edmund Kopicki only from the piece described by K. Stronczyński (“Old Polish Coins of the Piasts and Jagiellons”).
We’ve had this variety in our collection only once before, at our 10th anniversary auction in 2020!
Attractive condition. A slight bend line; otherwise, no issues. A natural specimen, characteristically struck quite shallowly. With a slight sheen and a nice patina.
