Variety with a small wreath above the Gdańsk coat of arms, containing four berries; below the arms the initials REOE – mark of mintmaster Reinhold E. Oeckermann. First year of Gdańsk zloty coinage under Augustus III of Saxony.
An old collection piece, preserved with its original collector’s envelope. Mint-state freshness with fully retained natural luster and good eye appeal.
A rare and desirable Gdańsk zloty – a remarkable opportunity for collectors of Royal Prussia civic coinage.
Obverse: Gdańsk coat of arms with small wreath and four berries, initials REOE below.
Reverse: denomination and surrounding legend.
Silver, diameter 33 mm, weight 20.01 g
For the first sixteen years of his reign, Augustus III of Saxony essentially pursued no minting policy. It was not until 1749 that the decision was made to begin producing copper shillings and groschen. This task was carried out by three mints: in Dresden, Gruntal, and Gubin. In 1752, Leipzig began producing gold coins (augustdors and ducats, as well as their fractions and multiples), as well as silver coins (thalers, half-thalers, two-złoty coins, tymfs, orts, six-coins, three-coins, and one-and-a-half coins). Formally, the establishment of mints issuing Polish coins was illegal. The Polish Sejm (parliament) did not consent to it. The same can be said for the activities of city mints in Royal Prussia. Gdańsk, Toruń, and Elbląg began minting without seeking the consent of Treasurer Karol Sedlnicki.
