Pulo - Boris Alexandrovich Goroden

Historical Context: This copper pulo, issued during the reign of Grand Prince Boris Alexandrovich of Tver (1425-1461), represents a crucial period in the Grand Principality's history. Boris Alexandrovich was a shrewd and ambitious ruler who sought to elevate Tver's status amidst the growing power of Moscow. His reign marked Tver's final significant period of independence before its eventual absorption into the Muscovite state. The issuance of its own coinage, particularly common pulo denominations for daily commerce, underscored Tver's economic autonomy and Boris's efforts to strengthen his principality's sovereign identity against external pressures. This coin is a tangible link to Tver's last era of independent prosperity.

Artistry: The "Goroden" type pulo from Tver reflects the characteristic stylistic school of medieval Rus' coinage. Individual engravers for such small denominations are rarely documented, suggesting local artisans executed the dies, likely within the princely court or designated workshops. The design, typical for pulo coins of this era, would feature simplified yet distinctive motifs, often incorporating Cyrillic legends. Given the "Goroden" designation, the design likely includes a stylized representation of a city or a specific heraldic device associated with Tver, possibly alongside common elements like an animal figure or geometric patterns. The overall aesthetic is one of functional utility rather than intricate artistic detail, characteristic of small-denomination medieval copper issues.

Technical/Grading: As a copper pulo, HPF#2800 would typically exhibit the technical strike qualities common to medieval Rus' coinage. High-points for this type would generally be found on the most raised elements of the design, such as the apex of any architectural feature, the head or body of an animal, or the central elements of the legend. The strike quality is often variable; one might observe an uneven strike, resulting in some parts of the legend or device appearing weaker or entirely off-flan. Flans themselves are frequently irregular in shape and thickness, and die wear or minor cracks are not uncommon, reflecting the rudimentary minting processes of the era. Centering can also vary significantly.