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Huszár 582, Pohl 121-1, Unger 452, Réthy II 126, Frynas H.27.10
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Hungary. Sigismund/Zsigmund of Luxembourg (1387-1437; Holy Roman Emperor 1433-1437)
AR parvus; .29 g., 11.62 mm. max.
Obv: Four-part shield (Árpádian stripes and Bohemian lion), [S]-V-[R] above and flanking.
Rev: Cross with four crowns between its arms.
The type was struck in 1402 (per Huszár, Unger & Frynas) or 1402-1403 (per Pohl) in Buda (now Budapest) (per Pohl).
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).
Huszár/Pohl rarity 5; Unger rarity 15+; Frynas rarity N.
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