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Huszár 581, Pohl 120, Unger 453, Réthy II 125B
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Hungary. Sigismund (Zsigmond, in Hun.) of Luxembourg (1387-1437; Holy Roman Emperor 1433-1437). AR parvus, 11-12 mm.
Obv: Four-part shield (Árpádian stripes and eagle), S—[V—R] above and flanking.
Rev: Cross with M and three crowns between its arms.
The type was struck in 1404-1405 (per Pohl, Huszár & Unger) in Buda (now Budapest) by Markus von Nürnberg, oberkammergraf (per Pohl).
Huszár/Pohl rarity rating 5.
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).
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