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1/2 Groschen - Stephen III Type Ib
| Issuer | Moldavia |
|---|---|
| Year | 1457-1504 |
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| Currency | Groschen (1375-1665) |
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| Obverse description | Divided heraldic shield occupying the central field, the dexter half bearing a cross pattée above a six-petalled rosette, and the sinister half displaying three horizontal bars (fesses); a six-pointed star or rosette appears above the shield as a charge. A crescent symbol is visible to the right of the shield in the field. The design is rendered in a simplified, archaic hammered style consistent with late medieval Moldavian coinage. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | Frontal aurochs head, the heraldic symbol of Moldavia, facing the viewer with prominent upswept horns between which a six-petalled rosette is placed. Flanking the head to either side are stylised floral or rosette ornaments, with an additional rosette in the lower right field. A crescent appears to the lower left of the head. The design is boldly struck in the characteristic hammered style of Stephen III's coinage, with no surrounding legend. |
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| Additional information |
Stephen III ruled Moldavia for 47 years, longer than any other Moldavian prince, and spent much of that reign in near-continuous military conflict — against the Ottomans, the Poles, the Hungarians, and rival claimants. His coinage was functional war-economy currency, not ceremonial issue. The Type Ib classification within the groschen series reflects die progression documented by Romanian numismatists, distinguishing it from the earlier Ia issues through subtle but consistent punch differences.
At 0.42g, these were among the smallest silver pieces circulating in the region at the time.