Dukat koronny - Sigismund III Vasa Kraków mint

Sigismund III's accession in 1587 was contested from the start — Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg invaded Poland to press his own claim and was only stopped at the Battle of Byczyna in January 1588. Ducats struck in the opening years of the reign were produced against this backdrop of genuine dynastic instability, and the Kraków mint operated under pressure to assert the legitimacy of the new king through coinage as much as through military means.

Kop#1394 covers a long run, and significant die variation exists across the reign's 45 years.