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1 Grossus - Ernst Johann von Biron Mitau
| Issuer | Courland and Semigallia, Duchy of |
|---|---|
| Year | 1763-1764 |
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| Composition | Silver |
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| Reverse description | Central shield bearing the Courland eagle quartered with the mounted horseman of Semigallia, the whole surmounted by a ducal crown. The heraldic achievement is encircled by the full Latin legend arranged around the periphery of the coin within the milled border. The design follows the standard armorial convention of Baltic duchy coinage of the period. |
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| Edge | Plain |
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| Additional information |
Ernst Johann von Biron's restoration to the Courland duchy in 1763 — after over two decades of Siberian exile following his arrest on Anna of Russia's death — produced one of the more unusual political coinages in Baltic history. The grossus issues of 1763–64 represent his first opportunity to strike coins as a ruling duke since the 1730s, and were produced at Mitau under circumstances of considerable constitutional ambiguity, given Russian suzerainty over the duchy throughout this period.