Speaker
Description
The Silesian coinage at the turn of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries is still poorly understood. We know over a hundred types of Silesian kwartniks, stylistically and typologically a very mixed group. Most kwartnik types are without a legend, and references in the written sources are scarce. Therefore, for the time being these coins must remain largely anonymous.
Stylistic analogies have been identified to coins in the sterling zone. The influence of this sterling zone was through trade contacts, especially with Flanders. The sterling of the pollardi type has been indicated as the closest analogy to Silesian kwartniks. These coins were primarily minted in Namur (in the Low Countries) in 1282-1299. Ryszard Kiersnowski drew particular attention this back in the 1960s. However, in the light of the current sources, comparative base and technological possibilities, this problem requires another revision.
