Caption

Denarius, Boleslaw III Krzywousty (prince of Poland; 1086–1138). Obverse: in the beaded border, a knight in chain mail thrusting a spearhead into the jaws of an upside-down dragon. Reverse: in the triple beaded border, an isosceles cross topped with balls; between its arms, one ball. Allegorical imagery: knight, dragon, fight between good and evil; references to martyrs and St. Adalbert (ca. 956–997). Romanesque style, Middle Ages; theme: fight against pagans. Issue mark: spearhead. Date: ca. 1125–1138. Place: Poland, Kraków. Coin (denarius). Diameter: 11.3–11.8 mm. Weight: 0.37 g.

Credit line

Photo12/Liszt Collection

Reference

LZT26A64_271

License type

Rights managed

Available size

27.0Mb (1.0Mb) / 10.2in x 10.2in / 3071 x 3071 (300dpi)

Keywords

Denarius Boleslaw III Krzywousty prince Poland 1086–1138 Obverse beaded border knight chain mail thrusting spearhead jaws upside-down dragon Reverse triple beaded border isosceles cross topped balls arms ball Allegorical imagery dragon fight good evil references martyrs St Adalbert ca 956–997 Romanesque style Middle Ages theme pagans Issue mark Date 1125–1138 Place Kraków Coin denarius Diameter 11.3–11.8 mm Weight 0.37 g small circular metallic object weathered textured surface sits plain white background object silver-gray darker gray shadows recessed areas lighter silver highlights raised details irregular rim uneven worn central relief suggesting raised shapes contours.