© Moscow Mint
© Moscow Mint
Zlatnik Vladimir the Great, Type I ND
| Gold (.958) | 4.4 g | 23 mm |
| Issuer | Kyivan Rus |
|---|---|
| Ruling authority | Vladimir the Great (980-1015) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 980-1015 |
| Value | 1 Solid (Zlatnik, Zlato) |
| Currency | Grivna |
| Composition | Gold (.958) |
| Weight | 4.4 g |
| Diameter | 23 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered (Possibly double-stuck) |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-06 |
| Numista | N#114339 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 93% |
Reverse
Bust of Jesus Crist (Pantocrator) full face with a cross-like nimbus. In his left hand Jesus holds a Gospel in dotted casing. The right hand is not visible and is covered by the folds of the cloak (chiton). The figure of Christ is surrounded by a circular legend ЇСУСЪ ХРИСТИСЪ (JESUS CHRIST), the letters of the legend are placed clock-wise and are turned vertically towards the centre of the coin. The legend is surrounded by a dotted circle.
Lettering: ЇСУСЪ ХРИСТИСЪ
Translation: Jesus Christ
Comment
Based on the 11 zlatniks that remain in physical existence today, their diameter ranged from 19-24 mm, their weight was in the range of 4.0-4.4 g and the fineness of gold was in the range of .916-958.Coin from the State Hermitage Museum, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation.
This particular coin represents the zlatnik die pair (type) I. The diameter of this particular coin is 23 mm, its weight is 4.4 grams (.958 gold). It was discovered in 1804 as part of the Pinsk treasure (present-day Pinsk area, Pinsk region, Brest oblast, Belarus) in the lands that belonged to a nobleman Rydzewski. After its discovery, this zlatnik was presented by Rydzewski as a gift to the emperor of Russia Alexandre I . Alexander I ordered to transfer the coin to the collection of the Hermitage museum. It is referenced under the State Hermitage Museum Inventory Number Аз-12.
Interesting fact
The Zlatnik coin was used as a means of payment and was also considered a symbol of power and wealth. It was used to pay taxes, debts, and fines, and it was also used in trade and commerce. The coin was minted during the reign of Vladimir the Great, who was the ruler of Kyivan Rus, a medieval state that existed in the 9th to 13th centuries. The coin was made of gold and weighed 4.4 grams, which was a significant amount of gold at the time. The coin's design featured an image of Vladimir the Great on one side and a cross on the other, which reflected the Christian faith of the people of Kyivan Rus. Overall, the Zlatnik coin played an important role in the economy and society of Kyivan Rus and is now a valuable collector's item for numismatists.