We are currently accepting qualities for the 3rd Limited Auction and the 16th Premium Auction
Occasional coins have been hit for centuries, among them, a special place is occupied by posthumous coins. This type of coins were already stunned in the Roman Empire, during the Renaissance this fashion also went to Europe. They are not too common collector's coins on the market, and some of them are unique, because they have been broken in honor of the last representatives of their families. One of such numismates is one and a half thaler struck in honor of the last male descendant of the Piast dynasty. It is worth mentioning that a coin weighing 1 ¼ of Talar was also knocked down the same stamps.
Jerzy Wilhelm, the last male descendant of the Piast dynasty. He was born on September 29, 1660 in Oława as the son of Christian Legnicki and Ludwika Anhalcka. From childhood, he was prepared to take power after his father. Jerzy Wilhelm received a careful education, mastered several languages, including German, French, Italian, Spanish, Latin and Poland. He studied theology, philosophy and rhetoric. After the period of breaking the district, Piastów gradually lost their relationship with Poland, which was particularly visible in Silesia. With each generation, the dynasty underwent greater Germanization. However, Jerzy's father, Christian, tried to restore the bond with Polish roots, exploring the history of the family. It was in his court that the name "Piasts" began to be used, which was not widely used before. Christian taught the Son of the History of Ancestors, wore in the Polish style, and even submitted his candidacy during the election after the abdication of John II Kazimierz, although he did not gain the support of the nobility.
Coins stamped after Jerzy Wilhelm's death have a special tone, because it was there that the nearly 700 -year -old story of the family, from which the kings and princes of Polish, and the princes of the district came from. At our next 15th Premium auction, Jerzy's posthumous coin will be offered, with a nominal of one and a half thaler.
The bust of the prince to the right is placed on the obverse and the hound legend is:
Jerzy Wilhelm by the grace of God the Silesian Prince, Legnica, Brzeg and Wołów
A legend was placed on the reverse in sixteen poems:
Piast and Kingdoms of Poland, the last descendant of the prince, lived 15 years, but / mature / after nine -month -old princely rule, on November 21, 1675 / Sam, the kingdom, family / and nine centuries, fate marked the unfortunate end, leaving Silesia in uncertainty. Is more gratitude for Piast's birthday or more tears because of the fate of Jerzy Wilhelm
When Jerzy Wilhelm was born, his father intended to give him the name Piast, referring to the founder of the dynasty. However, the opposition of the clergy, which considered this name to be too pagan, forced him to change his decision. Jerzy Wilhelm took over the independent rule in the Duchy of Legnica-Brzesko-Wołów in 1672, but formally began the reign on March 14, 1675 after paying tribute to the feudal Emperor Leopold I. Earlier his mother, Ludwik, exercised power as a regent. The young prince promised to be a promising ruler, but his life was interrupted by sudden death. On November 21, 1675, at the age of only 15, Jerzy Wilhelm died as a result of a severe fever, which appeared after he set off on hunting, not hearing the previous disease. His death meant the end of the male line of the Piast dynasty.
Not only the historical background determines the value of this numismat, Kopicki assessed its rarity on R4, which, however, does not reflect the facts. Jerzy Wilhelm's posthumous coins appear sporadically on the auction market. The coin we offer was purchased in 1997 at the Jubilee Auction for the 125th anniversary of Baldwin, where it decorated the cover of the catalog. For nearly 30 years it was part of the "Zielony Kruk" collection offered at our auction. Noteworthy coin even for the most demanding and demanding collectors! This position may not appear on the auction market for a long time
Wójcicki Polish Auction House
ul. Zwiadowców 9
52-207 Wrocław
tel.: 696 875,000
tel.: 71 30 70 111
e-mail: m.wojcicki@wojcicki.pl
