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Szeląg - Jan II Kazimierz Waza Wilno mint
| Issuer | Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth |
|---|---|
| Year | 1652 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | 1.0 g |
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| Obverse description | Central field features the crowned royal cypher of Jan II Kazimierz Waza, composed of intertwined monogram letters beneath a regal crown, all set within an inner beaded circle. The hammered flan exhibits the characteristic irregular outline typical of mid-17th century Polish billon coinage. The circumferential Latin legend reads IOAN CAS REX, identifying the issuing monarch. The design is rendered in a bold, somewhat crude relief consistent with the workmanship of the Wilno Mint during this period. Visible patination of green and brown tones attests to the coin's age and billon composition. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | IOAN CAS REX |
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| Additional information |
The 1652 szeląg from Wilno falls squarely in the reign of Jan II Kazimierz, a period of catastrophic military and financial strain — the Swedish invasion known as the Deluge was still three years away, but Cossack uprisings and war with Muscovy had already gutted the Commonwealth's treasury. Billon coinage of this type was struck in enormous quantities across multiple mints precisely because the state could not sustain silver production. The Wilno mint operated under the Grand Duchy of Lithuania's authority, giving these issues a distinct administrative lineage from their Crown counterparts struck at Ujazdów or Kraków.
Kop. 3583 covers a narrow die grouping; collectors should note that Wilno szelągi of this decade vary considerably in silver content batch to batch, a direct consequence of inconsistent alloy sourcing during wartime.