Caption

Denarius, Boleslaw III Krzywousty (prince of Poland; 1107–1138). Obverse: in a beaded border, a knight in chain mail thrusting a spearhead into the jaws of an upside-down dragon; a ball under the knight's right elbow and a dot between his legs. Reverse: in a triple beaded border, an isosceles cross topped with balls (one with a dot); a ball at the intersection of the arms and additional balls (three with dots). Allegorical imagery: knights, dragons, fight between good and evil, fight against pagans; motifs include spearhead (issue mark), spears, equal-armed cross, crosses, chain mail, mouths. References to Adalbert (Saint; ca. 956–997) and martyrs. Romanesque style. Date ca. 1125–1138. Poland, Kraków. Coin (denarius). Diameter 12.0–12.5 mm. Weight 0.38 g.

Credit line

Photo12/Liszt Collection

Reference

LZT26A63_437

License type

Rights managed

Available size

27.0Mb (1.1Mb) / 10.2in x 10.2in / 3071 x 3071 (300dpi)

Keywords

Denarius Boleslaw III Krzywousty prince Poland 1107–1138 Obverse beaded border knight chain mail thrusting spearhead jaws upside-down dragon ball under knight's right elbow dot legs Reverse triple beaded border isosceles cross topped balls ball intersection arms additional balls three dots Allegorical imagery knights dragons fight good evil pagans motifs include issue mark spears equal-armed cross crosses chain mail mouths References Adalbert Saint ca 956–997 martyrs Romanesque style Date ca 1125–1138 Kraków Coin denarius Diameter 12.0–12.5 mm Weight 0.38 g round metallic object textured raised design sits white background object silver darker gray shadows showing concentric ridged rings central arrangement raised circular bumps petal- shapes subtle variations light dark silver across uneven surface.