AUSTRIA. Holy Roman Empire. Karl VI, as King of Hungary (Károly III), 1711-1740. Pattern Poltura 1721 (Copper, 22 mm, 4.47 g, 12 h), uncertain mint in Hungary. CAR•VI•D•G•R•I• - S•A•GE•HI•H•B•REX• Draped bust of Karl VI to right. Rev. POL-TURA / 17-21 Two crowned coats of arms enclosed by volutes and set between an angel’s face and a mascaron. Herinek -. Huszár 1645. Trattner -. Unger 73. Exceedingly rare and of great interest. Tiny flan faults on the reverse, otherwise, extremely fine.

This enigmatic piece represents a pattern issue that was ultimately never carried into circulation. Between 1713 and 1721, serious consideration must have been given to introducing a new copper Poltura. In Hungary, the Poltura was an important denomination for everyday transactions. It was first struck in silver under Leopold I, modeled on the Polish Półtorak (one-and-a-half Grosz), which likewise circulated in Hungary.

Under Karl VII (III), there appear to have been efforts to replace the silver Poltura with a copper equivalent. As early as 1713, pattern strikes of a new copper Poltura are documented (Herinek 1080; Huszár 1644). In 1721, a renewed attempt was made with two pattern issues that surpassed the 1713 designs considerably in both artistry and execution. Alongside the extremely rare - though occasionally encountered - Madonna and Infant Christ type (Herinek 1194; Huszár 1646), still rarer designs were produced, featuring a bust of Karl VII (III), as in the present specimen. The reverse repeats the obverse of the Madonna and Infant Christ pattern.

The copper Poltura, however, failed to gain acceptance in 1721, and the project did not advance beyond the pattern stage. The precise reasons remain unclear. It is possible that the technical demands of striking such pieces - with their foliate edge, pronounced relief, and high level of detail - may have rendered them impractical for large-scale production.

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