Półgrosz - John I Albert Kraków mint

John I Albert inherited a kingdom still absorbing the shock of the Ottoman advance into Europe, and his reign saw Poland drawn into disastrous campaigning in Moldavia — the 1497 expedition that ended in catastrophe at the Battle of the Cosmin Forest, where Polish forces were ambushed and routed. The półgrosz issues of his reign were struck continuously through this period, financing military obligations that ultimately produced little territorial gain.

Kopicki distinguishes at least two catalogued varieties for this type, reflecting die variation across a decade of Kraków production.