Poland (15)96 6 groszy
The first specimen was lot 1128 in Steve Album Auction 51 (Santa Rosa, CA, January 2025), where it sold for $390. The catalog description[1] noted, "POLAND: Zygmunt III Wasa, 1587-1632, AR 6 groschen, Malbork (Marienburg), 1596, light tone, very nice for these, PCGS graded AU58." The second specimen was lot 1877 in Jean Elsen sale 165 (Brussels, June 2026), where it sold for €120 (about US$165 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"POLOGNE, Sigismond III Wasa (1587-1632), AR 6 Groschen, 1596, Marienburg. D/ B. couronné et cuir. à d. R/ Trois écus en triangle sous une couronne. Nettoyé. Fine griffe au revers. Très Beau à Superbe. (kingdom of Poland, Sigismund Vasa, 1587-1632, silver six groschen of 1596, Marienburg mint. obverse: crowned and armored bust right; reverse: three shields in a triangle under a crown. Cleaned, fine scratch on the reverse, Very Fine - Extremely Fine.)"
The kingdom of Poland came under the rule of the king of Sweden, Sigismund III, in 1587. He converted to Roman Catholicism to accept the Polish crown, which caused the Swedish diet to depose him. He invaded Sweden in an attempt to reclaim his throne but was unsuccessful. The expenses of the war damaged and weakened the Polish monarchy, but the main source of Polish weakness was the greed and selfishness of the Polish nobility. This type was struck 1596-1601 and was called a szóstak. Only the 1601 is mentioned in the SCWC.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specifications: 4.75 g, 0.844 fine silver, 28 mm diameter, the second specimen 4,87 g.
Catalog reference: KM 7.1, Kopicki 1240; Gum. 1151.
- [1]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Norman Douglas Nicol, Auction 51, featuring the Howard Daniel III Collection of Asian Coins, the Almer H. Orr III Collection of World Coins and the Joe Sedillot Collection of German Coins, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2024.
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