One of the most beautiful denarii of this rare type that we have seen offered at auction.
This is a very interesting iconographic type of denarii of Boleslaw IV, which is difficult to obtain.
It is the result of changes in minting under Curly, leading to the creation of a new type of coinage. It is dated to the last years of Boleslaw's reign. It is characterized by minting on thinner discs, having an almost half-bracteate character. However, changes in minting / stamp making techniques resulted in a markedly inferior minting quality of these coins. As a result, it is very difficult to find pieces that are legible on both sides, such as the present denarius.
It is of a type referring by its obverse to the first issues of Curly - with a reliquary - depicting the ruler in front, on a throne. Perhaps the reference to a widely recognized coinage was to facilitate their acceptance in circulation. Unlike them, however, the sword here is raised, instead of lying in the prince's lap.
The reverse is also very interesting - with a rare depiction of what is most likely a mythical creature (described by some researchers as a griffin or pegasus).
The issue dates to the years after 1166.
Rare, as confirmed, among other things, by the fact that this is only the third denarius of this type in our long history. The prettiest of them.
