15 Mayo 2017: Greetings to all coin collectors where-ever you may be. Heron continues onward with reports of neat acquisitions. Primarily to help keep this Coin & Paper Money chatting place alive.
Recent acquisition, and purchased from an eBay seller, is this coin:
Duchy of Prussia - Solidus - full date 1531 - Silver - 19mm Dia - MB2:
Obverse: At center a Large Gothic A with Albert I Coat of Arms below.
Legend: SOLIDUS.PRUSSIE.1531.
Reverse: At center is Eagle of Poland with large "S" on chest of eagle.
The "S" is for Sigismund I of King of Poland.
Legend: ALBERTVS.D.G.DUX.PRUSSIE.
Varieties Exist.
Condensed History:
1510 - Albert von Hohenzollern-Brandenburg became Grand Master of
The Teutonic Knights.
1525 - Albert ended Teutonic Knights rule of [East] Prussia.
1525 - Albert creates the Duchy of Prussia. This was accepted by King Sigismund I
of Poland. New Duchy of Prussia becomes Fief of Poland.
1618 - A Union was formed between Brandenburg and Prussia [East].
1657 - Duchy of Prussia proclaimed separation from Poland.
1701 - Duchy of Prussia became Kingdom of Prussia.
Notes:
'East' Prussia not to be confussed with 'Royal' Prussia aka 'West Prussia'.
Royal Prussia was a separate entity and belonged to the King of Poland.
Royal Prussia was also called 'West Prussia'.
Royal Prussia existed until 1569. In 1569 it became an integral part of Poland and
the term 'Royal Prussia' was no longer used.
King Sigismund I of Poland was Uncle to Duke Albert I of Prussia [East].
City of Konigsberg was capitol of Prussia 1525 to 1701.
Albert I was Duke of Prussia [East] from 1525 to 1568.
Info Sources:
Allnumis - com 1531 Groschen Duchy of Prussia.
Beastcoins - com. Prussia Duchy Solidus and Groschen.
NGC World Coin informacion de Solidus.
Muenzenhandlungritterdusseldorg.
Albert Duke of Prussia - Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Prussia - Wiki.
Google Maps East Prussia 1540.
** This coin was a nice addition to Heron's small accumulation. Another small piece of the Eastern Europa 'puzzle' now in place. Coin collecting is a great hobby. Mucho fun involved, plus the joy of ownership. **
Regardos.
