Catalog
| Issuer | Bishopric of Breslau (Silesia) |
|---|---|
| Year | 1506 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | 1 Groschen (1⁄24) |
| Currency | Thaler |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | |
| Diameter | |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | Kop#6727 |
| Obverse description | Ornate shield of two-fold coat of arms divided horizontally: upper half of rampant lion left, below 3 rosettes, 4-digits date divided by the top of the shield, legend around a beaded inner circle. A mitre divides the legend on top. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering |
IOANNES: EPVS: VRATI 1506 |
| Reverse description | Head of St. John the Baptist turned slightly to left within a double inner circle, shield of Breslau arms below divides the legend around (start 11h). |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering | S: BAPTISTA SVCVRRE. |
| Edge | Plain |
| Mint | |
| Mintage | 1506 |
| Numisquare ID | 1872145009 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: This 1 Groschen, issued in 1506, hails from the Bishopric of Breslau under Bishop John V Thurzo (Jan V Turzo). A scion of the influential Hungarian Thurzo family, renowned for mining and finance, John V's episcopate (1506-1520) marked a period of significant economic and cultural development in Silesia. As Prince-Bishop, he wielded temporal and spiritual authority within the Kingdom of Bohemia, his coinage symbolizing this sovereignty and the region's prosperity at the cusp of the Renaissance.
Artistry: The specific engraver of this 1506 Groschen remains unrecorded, typical for the era. Stylistically, the coin bridges late Gothic rigidity with nascent Renaissance influences. The obverse typically features Bishop Thurzo's ecclesiastical coat of arms, often surmounted by a mitre, symbolizing his authority. The reverse commonly displays the crowned Silesian eagle, a heraldic emblem representing the region's affiliation within the Bohemian crown lands, executed with traditional precision and emerging artistic refinement.
Technical/Grading: For this 1 Groschen, key high-points susceptible to wear include the raised elements of the armorial bearings, particularly the shield's intricacies, the eagle's crown, and fine details within the legends. Technical strike qualities often vary; expect potential irregularities in flan shape, slight off-center strikes, and minor die cracks, common characteristics of early 16th-century minting. A well-struck example exhibits sharp heraldic details and clear, legible lettering, indicating a superior die impression.