6 Groszy Siege of Zamość

Émetteur Zamość, City of
Année 1813
Type Emergency coin
Valeur 6 Groszy (1/5)
Devise Złoty (1813)
Composition Copper
Poids 11.5 g
Diamètre 33 mm
Épaisseur
Forme Round
Technique
Orientation
Graveur(s)
En circulation jusqu’à
Référence(s) Gum#2477, Kop#8448, KM#1, AKS#202, AKS#203, AKS#204
Description de l’avers Plain with 4 lines of text.
Écriture de l’avers Latin
Légende de l’avers PIENIADZ W OBLEZENIU ZAMOSCIA 1813
(Translation: Money In the siege [of] Zamość 1813)
Description du revers Denomination and value on top of two branches, surrounded by lettering.
Écriture du revers Latin
Légende du revers 6 GROSZY BOZE DOPOMOZ WIERNYM OYCZINE
(Translation: God help (to those who are) faithful (to the) homeland.)
Tranche Decorated.
Atelier
Tirage 1813 - AKS# 202 - 1 330
1813 - AKS# 203; Without text on reverse; mintage included above -
1813 - AKS# 204; Without text and branches on reverse; mintage included above -
ID Numisquare 1738113470
Informations supplémentaires

Historical Context: The 6 Groszy Siege of Zamość, struck in 1813, serves as a tangible relic of the Napoleonic Wars. Issued by the city of Zamość, then part of the French-allied Duchy of Warsaw, this coin represents necessity money. It funded the besieged Polish-French garrison and facilitated local commerce during a prolonged blockade by Russian forces. Its creation highlights the dire economic conditions and resourcefulness demanded to sustain a city under siege, marking it as a significant historical artifact of wartime exigency.

Artistry: The design of the Zamość 6 Groszy directly mirrors its urgent origins. Without a designated engraver, dies were likely crafted by a local artisan, yielding a rudimentary and utilitarian stylistic approach. The obverse typically displays the denomination "6 GROSZY" and the year "1813." The reverse commonly features inscriptions like "MONETA ZAMOSCIA" (Coin of Zamość) or "W OBLEZENIU" (In Siege). The aesthetic prioritizes clarity and function over intricate artistic embellishment, characteristic of emergency issues.

Technical/Grading: Struck in copper on often irregular planchets, the technical qualities of the 6 Groszy Siege of Zamość are inherently crude. High-points prone to wear include the raised lettering of the denomination and inscriptions. Common strike characteristics involve off-center strikes, weak details, and frequent die breaks, all indicative of emergency production. Due to the material, these coins are also susceptible to environmental damage, corrosion, and planchet flaws, which are crucial considerations for their grading.

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