POLAND, Monarchs. Stefan Batory, 1576-1586. 3 Grosze 1580 (Silver, 21 mm, 2.31 g, 6 h), July-September. Olkusz. ✱STEPHA✱D✱G✱REX✱POLONI Crowned and draped bust of Stefan Batory. Rev. GROS •ARG / TRIP•REG / POLONIÆ / •15•80• in four lines; above, value III and two coat of arms. Kopicki 506. Extremely rare. Beautifully toned. Minor areas of weakness and with very light marks, otherwise, nearly very fine.


1580 was an exceedingly important year for the Polish coinage. In this year the successful style of the Trojak (3 Grosze) was established in the Olkusz mint. For the next 100 years, the convenient Trojak, featuring a bust on the obverse and the denomination and year on the reverse, dominated everyday transactions in Poland, Lithuania, and neighboring regions. This exceptionally rare and attractively preserved variety without a mint master's coat of arms must have been minted in very small quantities only between July and September 1580. It thus represents a kind of prototype for this influential coin type.