Caption

Lithuanian half thaler forgery (mezzo ducato with false countersignature), Sigismund II Augustus (King of Poland; 1544–1572) [for the original countersignature], Philip II Habsburg (King of Naples and Sicily; 1554–1598) [for mezzo ducato]; Giovanni Battista Ravaschiero (fl. 1525–1560), publisher [for mezzo ducato]. Habsburgs (family), Jagiellons (dynasty). Features: coats of arms; royal male bust; countermarks/countersignatures; forgeries; Polish counterfeit coin. Obverse: male bust in armour turned right, rim inscription P. ANG. FR. EAP. PRI. HIS.; left in field the mintmaster's tied monogram IBR Rw. Crowned oval multi-field coat of arms with rim inscription POPVL S TAT. Reverse: countersignature of King Sigismund Augustus — tied monogram SA in border under crown dividing the year 15–64. Dating: after 1554/19th century. Places associated: Grand Duchy of Lithuania (for the countersignature), Vilnius (for the countersignature), Kingdom of Naples/ Naples (for the mezzo ducato), Poland.

Credit line

Photo12/Liszt Collection

Reference

LZT26A38_436

License type

Rights managed

Available size

86.7Mb (8.3Mb) / 18.3in x 18.3in / 5504 x 5504 (300dpi)

Keywords

Lithuanian half thaler forgery mezzo ducato false countersignature Sigismund II Augustus King Poland 1544–1572 original countersignature Philip II Habsburg Naples Sicily 1554–1598 Giovanni Battista Ravaschiero fl 1525–1560 publisher Habsburgs family Jagiellons dynasty Features coats arms royal male bust countermarks countersignatures forgeries Polish counterfeit coin Obverse male bust armour turned right rim inscription P Ang Fr Eap Pri left field mintmaster's tied monogram IBR Rw Crowned oval multi-field coat rim inscription POPVL S TAT Reverse countersignature King Sigismund Augustus tied monogram SA border under crown dividing year 15–64 Dating 1554 19th century Places associated Grand Duchy Lithuania Vilnius Kingdom round metal object worn textured surface shades silver gray showing scratches irregularities smaller raised circular impression near lower center contains slightly darker area embossed ornate markings left edge band raised decorative shapes rim uneven small dents colors visible include subtle darker gray tones.