A distinctive and very rare Olkusz shilling - with the Batori family coat of arms on the obverse.
An early issue of the time of King Stefan, from a transitional vintage, on which, in place of the crowned family coat of arms goes the royal monogram (already issued in subsequent years). Probably minted briefly, as indicated by the greater number of known stamps of the monogram variety.
A new type of reverse, introduced in 1580, with two shields (of Poland and Lithuania), under which the Glaubicz coat of arms is placed.
Variant without rosettes, with a crown cross dividing the obverse, but with two dots instead of a rosette.
A very rare shellac. In the catalog of the Parchimowicz-Brzezinski duo, all three variants of the 1580 shilling with the Batorych coat of arms instead of the royal monogram have a note at the valuation of the amateur price. Valued by Tyszkiewicz at 75 mk, and by Kopicki at a rarity grade of R7.
In our history to date, we have had only one other piece of this type of shilling, offered at the fifth auction (item 1145, st.2/2+), sold at the time for 36,000 zloty + hammer.
The present piece, despite its weaker state of preservation, is still a sought-after typological coin.