Please HELP Identify a 1536 Gold Coin

JadeRareCoin

We were recently asked to identify a group of foreign coins. We managed to identify everything except the coin in this thread. The biggest problem is that we don't have a reference book for 1500-1600 coinage. I think it is Lithuanian, but not 100% sure. Actually, I am not even certain it is genuine. The color seems off, but maybe that's the way this type of coin comes. Is it billon? We were not permitted to remove the coin from the 2X2 holder, so I could not get an accurate weight measurement. What's the composition? What's the value? Thanks in advance for your expert advice!

ajaan

I'm thinking Polish. Danzig maybe?

JadeRareCoin

I was thinking Danzig as well, but I thought that Danzig was part of Lituania in the past. Maybe I need to refresh my basic history knowledge. Thanks, Dennis

ajaan

You may be correct about Danzig and Lithuania. I'm not sure. Unfortunately Krause doesn't have a 16th C. issue.

CIVITAS

It's a 3 Groszy or 3 Groschen from Danzig. It is not gold, but gilt silver. Looks like it was a jewelry piece at one time.

Steve27

I think thats Sigismund I of Poland, but Jester should know.

JadeRareCoin

Thank you everyone for your help. This all makes sense now.

1jester

It is just as Civitas says, a trojak, or 3 grosz piece from Poland, minted in Gdansk. It's definitely not gold, but perhaps gilt at one time, or perhaps has a lovely old gold patina on it, which I've seen on a small number of old collection coins. However, the rims look a bit roughed up, which lends credence to Civitas' theory of being a jewelry piece. Generally, 3-grosz pieces from the reign of Sigismund the Elder command decent prices, but without any reference materials in front of me, I hesitate to give a value estimate. I'll try to do more research.

MacCrimmon

<< <i>It is just as Civitas says, a trojak, or 3 grosz piece from Poland, minted in Gdansk. It's definitely not gold, but perhaps gilt at one time, or perhaps has a lovely old gold patina on it, which I've seen on a small number of old collection coins. However, the rims look a bit roughed up, which lends credence to Civitas' theory of being a jewelry piece. Generally, 3-grosz pieces from the reign of Sigismund the Elder command decent prices, but without any reference materials in front of me, I hesitate to give a value estimate. I'll try to do more research.

>>




Siggy looks like one of the Beatles.

shirohniichan

Siggy looks like one of the Beatles.

He didn't claim to be "bigger than Jesus," did he?

spinaker2000

<< <i>It is just as Civitas says, a trojak, or 3 grosz piece from Poland, minted in Gdansk. It's definitely not gold, but perhaps gilt at one time, or perhaps has a lovely old gold patina on it, which I've seen on a small number of old collection coins. However, the rims look a bit roughed up, which lends credence to Civitas' theory of being a jewelry piece. Generally, 3-grosz pieces from the reign of Sigismund the Elder command decent prices, but without any reference materials in front of me, I hesitate to give a value estimate. I'll try to do more research.

>>



That's pretty good info, esp from a "numismatic failure"