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Huszár 580a, Pohl 119-1 var., Unger 451a var., Réthy II 125C
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Hungary. Sigismund (Zsigmond, in Hun.) of Luxembourg (1387-1437; Holy Roman Emperor 1433-1437). AR parvus, 8-9 mm., .18 gr.
Obv: Four-part shield (eagle and Árpádian stripes) [S—V—R above and flanking].
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 in Nagybánya (now Baia Mare, Romania) (per Pohl).
Huszár rarity rating 4. This is a rare variety in which the eagle is on the upper left and lower right, instead of the opposite.
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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