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Huszár 580, Pohl 119-46, Unger 451ζ, Réthy II 125A
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Hungary. Sigismund (Zsigmond, in Hun.) of Luxembourg (1387-1437; Holy Roman Emperor 1433-1437). AR parvus, 10 mm.
Obv: Four-part shield (Árpádian stripes and eagle), S—V—R above and flanking, I-C flanking the S (privy mark).
Rev: Cross with four crowns between its arms.
The type was struck in 1387-1427 (per Pohl, Huszár & Unger, although this emission terminated in 1410 per Engel). This privy mark was struck at Kassa (now, Košice, Slovakia) by Jacobus and Christianus before 1410 (per Pohl), who also states that they were joint kammergraffen at Kassa under Maria from 1385-1387, suggesting that this coin was struck early in Sigismund’s reign.
Huszár/Pohl rarity rating 4.
The parvus (also called the “small denar” fillér or pankart) was struck with an average nominal fineness of 0.353 silver. Because of many worn out and counterfeit coins it was pulled from circulation after 1427 (per Huszár). Although not specifically discussed in this context in Engel, the parvus must have experienced the same rampant debasement as the denar did.
“Owing to inner strife and disordered general conditions, the coins [of this period] were usually minted with extremely low precious metal content; moreover, poor mintages were often struck with negligently engraved dies. As a result of the hurried, superficial minting, it was sometimes doubtful whether a faulty coin had been issued officially, or was a forgery” (Huszár 1963, at 15). This emission is typically struck on a small flan.
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