Lithuania
jump to wonderful world of coins folder (for ongoing updates)
Gpa Hayden autographed bottom of our family heirloom treasure chest/ jewel box with recent coin acquisitions.
Recently, I've dipped back almost into the middle ages acquiring some medieval artifacts. Always loved the sound of that, not really knowing what it was! But I did buy a few cheap 450 year old Lithuanian/Polish medieval coins shown above (from ebay in Serbia/ Ukraine). In a simple twist of fate both one of my wife's and my grandparent Cazimir Kanches and Olga Knochenhauer came from these countries a hundred years ago. So, it's cool to have a reminder. Had they not fled, we'd have been right in the middle of WW2 with Germany and Russia rampaging back and forth through our homes.
(guaranteed 100% authentic, they say, seem legit...) :
The 1560 silver denar above (related to the denarius worth 10 asses, but actually only 1/18 grosh in Lithuania). Vilnius, Lithuania mint also current capital city. It comes from the time Poland was ruled by King Sigismund II Augustus just 9 years before the Poland-Lithuanian Commonwealth era formed and also ruled by Sigismund II Augustus during the 1548-1572 reign. Illustrated is the Vytis, the knight in armor on horseback, from the Vytis Lithuanian Coat of Arms . (remember when Galileo invented the telescope- he wasn't even born yet). Just hope I've not violated any antiquities laws yet. (Great coin ref source 1897 ,thanks Google)
obverse: 1560 SA crown meaning coined date, King Sigismund Augustus
reverse: II meaning Sigismund Augustus II and armored knight on horseback
Gpa Kazimir had a popular name likened to many famous Kazimir, Casimer, Kazimerz s of the area.
Symbol also used on this official commerative coin honoring St Casimer . Lithuanian Mint cool video showing history, archeological dig, artist carving of the St. Kazimir model.
Casimir III the Great (Kazimierz) was the last King of Poland 1310-1370. Haven't quite connected all the links yet, but if you look closely at this family tree, I think we're related to Saint Casimir, Casimir Jagiellon, the Prince of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Dutchy of Lithuania 1458 – 1484.
The 1620 silver Poltorak (= 3 polker equal to 1 1/2 grosz) Bydgoszcz mint , a city in northern Poland home to Casimir the Great University. It comes from the Poland-Lithuanian Commonwealth era ruled by Sigismund III Waza during the 1587-1662 reign. It also Illustraits the Vytis, the knight in armor on horseback and the Polish-Lithuanian coat of arms,
obverse: MONI*NO**REG*POLO** 20 under cross for year 1620 and 24
reverse:SIGIS*3*D*G*3*MONE*D*L* for Sigismund*the third*Die Gratis latin by the grace of God*3 polker* and crowned double shield coat of arms
1661 Lithuaninan bronze solidius soli meaning solid - used around Europe, centuries earlier issued to Roman soldiers, thus the derivation of that word. Kaunas, Lithuania mint, former temporary capital city. It comes from the Poland-Lithuanian Commonwealth era ruled by Johann Jan Kazimir during the 1648-1668 reign.
made from billon, mostly copper & bronze
reverse: 1661 SI.L*MAG*XXXXX meaning date coined and Lithuanian Coat of Arms armored knight on horseback
obverse: IOAN CAS*REX meaning John Casmir* King and portrait
silver solidus = shilling = szlag = 17cents Sigismund III 1587-1632 coins used in Sweden, Poland, Latvia
This 1899 Russian one Kopeck is 1 one hundredth of a ruble. It could have been in the possession by our grandparents when they emmigrated as they were ruled by the Russian Federation as part of the Russian Empire at that time, using their money. Russia was the first country in the world to employ the decimal system for coins in 1704. The Russian Coat of Arms uses a very similar Knight on Horseback as the Lithuanians that you can see better in the coin folder. The two headed crowned eagle connotes dual allegiance, common symbols in that part of the world.
reverse: 1899 xxxx, 1 KOxxxxx chs meaning date minted 1 kopeck
obverse:xxxxxxxxxx coat of arms
notes on rulers-time period-denominations
Lithuania. Jagiello (1377-1392). Silver Shilling Jagiellon dynasty
Lithuania. Jagiello (1440-1571). Silver Shilling Jagiellon dynasty
Poland. Danzig. Casmir II Jagiello (1446-1492). struck shillings and solidi, Silver Shilling Jagiellon dynasty
Poland. Lithuania. Alexander Jagiello (1492-1506). Silver Half Gross
Poland. King John Olbracht Jagiello (1501-1506). Silver Half Groschen
Poland. Lithuania. Alexander Jagiello JAGIELLONCZYK (1492-1506). Silver Half Gross
Poland. Danzig. King Sigismund I "Old" (1506-1548). Silver Groschen
Poland. Lithuania. Sigismund I old (1506-1544). Silver Grosz
Poland. Prussia. Albrecht Hollenzollern (1525-1568). Silver Grosz
Poland-Lithuania Commonwealth 1569-1795
Poland. Lithuania. Sigismund II Augustus (1548-1572)
Poland. Lithuania. Stephen Bathori (1576-1586).
Poland. Bydgoszcz Sigismund III Waza Vasa (1587-1632) Silver Grosz,
Lithuania. G-Duke John II Casmir Jan Kazimir(1648-1668) last King of Poland and Grand Dutchy of Lithuania Commonwealth. Copper Shilling solidius bronze
Russian Empire 1797-1917 Russia state or Russian Federation
Lithuania. Republic. Silver 2 Litai 1925
NH dealer with Lithuanian coins (who just outbid me in Serbia and marked them up for sale here)
There is a social network for coins for some light dabbling.