½ Groat - Alexander I Jagiellon ND
| Billon (.375 silver) | 1.24 g | 21 mm |
| Issuer | Grand Duchy of Lithuania |
|---|---|
| Grand duke | Alexander I Jagiellon (1492-1506) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1495-1506 |
| Value | ½ Groat |
| Currency | Lithuanian Groat (1495-1580) |
| Composition | Billon (.375 silver) |
| Weight | 1.24 g |
| Diameter | 21 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-06 |
| Numista | N#31088 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 37% |
Reverse
Eagle with wings spread, head turned left, within inner circle.
Script: Latin (uncial)
Lettering: mAGnI DVC LITVAnIE
Lettering (regular font): MAGNI DVC LITVANIE
Translation: Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Edge
Plain
Comment
Alternative names: półgrosz, pusgrašis
Several subtypes have been identified according to:
a. Gothic (uncial) script for letters M and N versus Renaissance (modern) script,
b. Spelling variants
Huletski et al (2017) place the types with only Gothic script for M and N (Kop. 3122 and 3123) in 4 emissions struck at 1495-1500; the types with mixed scripts for M and N (Kop. 3124 and 3125) in an emission struck at 1501-1502, and the types with only Renaissance script (Kop. 3126) in 4 emissions struck in 1502-1506.
Examples of the main subtypes cited in the date lines:
Kopicki 3122 - Top of inner circle around rider missing
© Gabinet Numizmatczny D. Marciniak
Kopicki 3123 - Gothic script for M, N both sides; ALEXANDRI obverse (main photos), or ALEXANDR (rare)
Kopicki 3124 - Gothic script on rider side, Renaissance script on eagle side
© Gabinet Numizmatczny D. Marciniak
Kopicki 3125 - Renaissance script on rider side, Gothic script on eagle side
© Gabinet Numizmatczny D. Marciniak
Kopicki 3126 - Renaissance script on both sides; several lettering variants, the only common one being MON ALEXANDRI/MAGNI DVC LITVANIE:
Variant with ALEXNDRI:
© Gabinet Numizmatczny D. Marciniak
Variant with MAGN:
© Gabinet Numizmatczny D. Marciniak
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the ½ Groat coin from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania is that it features a unique blend of Christian and pagan elements in its design. The obverse side of the coin depicts a cross, which symbolizes Christianity, while the reverse side features a image of a knight on horseback, which is a common motif in medieval Lithuanian coinage and reflects the country's pre-Christian pagan beliefs and traditions. This blending of religious symbols reflects the complex cultural and religious landscape of Lithuania during the time period in which the coin was minted.
Price
| Date | Mintage | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ND (1495-1506) | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for ½ Groat - Alexander I Jagiellon ND (1495-1506) coin.
