Unique klippe of a Poznań three-groschen coin (trojak) of Sigismund III Vasa, dated 1597. An absolutely exceptional piece – no example of this date and mint has ever appeared on the auction market.
Within the Onebid archive over the years, only one klippe of a trojak has been recorded, a Bydgoszcz issue dated 1598. This specimen, struck in Poznań, remains virtually without parallel in auction listings.
The dies used for striking this klippe come from the rarer variety of the trojak, with a shortened date on the reverse, separated by a trefoil flower – the mintmark of Poznań. The reverse legend appears in two lines, while the lower part of the field bears heraldic symbols and initials: on the left the Lewart coat of arms and I-F of Jan Firlej, Grand Treasurer of the Crown, and on the right the Rose and H-R, the marks of mint official Herman Rüdiger. Beneath the bust – a rosette. Classified in Iger’s catalogue as P.97.7.a (R).
A trace of suspension is present, though it does not detract from the numismatic importance of the piece.
An extraordinary rarity, destined for the finest collections of Royal Polish coinage or advanced specialist trojak collections. The opportunity to acquire such a klippe trojak may not occur again for decades.
Obverse: bust of the king right, crowned and in ruff collar, legend: SIG III D G REX POL M D L.
Reverse: inscription in two lines, divided by mintmark; at bottom, coats of arms and initials I-F and H-R.
Silver, dimensions 21 × 21 mm, weight 5.21 g.
