Kyle D. writes: I have what appears to be a Polish coin. The obverse reads: “STANISLAUS AUG D G.REX POL.M.D.L” (for King Stanislaus Augustus Poniatowski) With a right facing profile. The reverse reads: “GROSSUS POLON : TRIPLEX 1783” around a crest of alternating Eagle/Lion (top) and Lion/Eagle (Bottom) and the letters E.B. at the base. I am looking for the denomination (I believe it’s Groshen, but how many) of this coin, mainly, but any information as to value or otherwise, would be greatly appreciated.
GROSSUS is Latin for the denomination Grosz (plural grosze or groszy). The Polish monetary system was a complicated one, and certainly influenced by the relationships between their many neighbors and the almost constant changing of Poland’s borders.
The following was the Polish monetary system until about 1815.
- 1 solidus=1 schilling
- 3 solidi=2 Poltura(1 Grosz)
- 3 poltura= 1 1/2 gosze or 1 Polutrak
- 6 groszy= 1 Szostak
- 18 grozsy=1 Tympf
- 30 grozsy=4 silbergoschen or 1 zloty (also called a Talar)
- 6 zlotych=1 reichsthaler
- 8 zoltych=1 speciesthaler
- 5 speciesthaler= 1 august d’or (gold)
- 3 ducats = 1 stanislaus d’or (gold)
And Americans complained that the Susan B. Anthony Dollar could be mistaken for a quarter!
The letter E.B. on your coin represent the Mintmaster’s initials, in this case, Ephraim Brenn (1774-1792), at the Warsaw Mint. 897,000 1783 Poland copper groszy were struck.
The market value of 1783 Poland Groszy depends on grade (condition). Approximate value range: US $1 – $10.
