Poland 1600-P 3 groschen
This specimen was lot 1010 in Sincona sale 69 (Zürich, May 2021), where it sold for 50 CHF (about US$66 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"POLEN, Sigismund III. 1587-1632. 3 Gröscher 1600 P, Posen. Vorzüglich. Geprägt auf schwerem Schrötling. (kingdom of Poland Sigismund III, 1587-1632, three groschen of 1600, Posen mint. Extremely fine, Struck on a thick planchet.)"
The mintmark "P" is above the "G" in "GROS". Many varieties of the three groschen of Sigismund III exist, struck at many mints, including Krakau (Cracow) and Lublin. 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.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: Silver, this specimen 2.78 g.
Catalog reference: Iger P.00.2a var. (.16-00.).
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- [1]Jürg Richter, Auction 69, World Coins and Medals, Bullion Auction and Chinese Banknotes, Part 1, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2021.
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