POLAND, Monarchs. Zygmunt III Waza, 1587-1632. 3 Grosze (Trojak) 1596 (Silver, 20 mm, 2.00 g, 12 h), a Transylvanian imitation of an issue from Marienburg (Malbork) (Kopicki 985). Unknown mint in Transylvania. •SIGISM•III•D:G - REX•PO•M•D•L Crowned bust of Zygmunt III to right, Lewart arms below. Rev. III / GROS•ARG: / TRIG (sic!) •REG./ POLONI in four lines; above, value III above coat of arms, 969 between ring (sign of the mint tenant K. Goebel) and triangle (sign of the engraver G. Gonzalo) below. Exceedingly rare. Minor marks, otherwise, about extremely fine.


Originating in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, trojaks became one of the most widely circulated and popular coin types in the region during the late 16th and 17th centuries. Their use extended well beyond the borders of the Royal Republic, prompting imitations - especially in Moldavia and Transylvania. Although often struck in respectable silver, these copies were usually underweight and are readily recognized by their so-called 'barbaric' style.

The present imitation, however, is a true enigma. The obverse portrait rivals the Malbork issues (cf. Kopicki 985 [1594]) in quality, with workmanship that clearly betrays an experienced engraver. The reverse, by contrast, reveals its spurious nature: instead of 'TRIP,' it reads 'TRIG,' and the date is problematic - both in its unusual arrangement ('969') and because, if intended for 1596, the coin could not have been struck at Malbork, which had ceased issuing this type after 1594.

The anomalous date, combined with the slightly reduced weight, thus leaves no doubt that this is not a mere engraving blunder but a remarkably intriguing imitation.