1/2 Groschen - Alexander II Type I

Alexander II of Moldavia ruled during one of the principality's most fractious periods, his reign repeatedly interrupted by rival claimants backed by competing Ottoman and Polish interests. The Type I designation distinguishes this emission from later issues of his reign, reflecting shifts in the mint's output as political control of Moldavia itself fluctuated. At 0.60 g, these were struck to a standard already degraded from the heavier groschen issues of Stephen I, a debasement trend common across mid-15th century Danubian mints under Ottoman pressure.