This Poland 1637 Gdansk Thaler collectible replica depicts Władysław IV Vasa, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, in armoured bust portrait on the obverse. The surrounding Latin inscription translates as "Vladislaus, by the Grace of God, King of Poland, Grand Duke of Lithuania, Russia, Prussia, and hereditary King of Sweden and Hungary" — a full recitation of his royal titles. The reverse displays the heraldic arms of the City of Gdansk: a crowned shield bearing two iron crosses, supported by two rampant lions, with a crossed sword and palm branch above, and the legend "Silver money of the City of Gdansk, 1637" encircling the design.
The Gdansk Thaler was struck by the semi-autonomous Royal Prussian city of Gdansk (Danzig) under the suzerainty of the Polish Crown. Gdansk held the right to mint its own silver coinage, and its thalers were among the most artistically accomplished city coins of 17th-century Europe. This piece is a Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth era city thaler collectible coin designed for display and collection.
About the Design
Władysław IV Vasa (1595–1648) was one of the most capable rulers of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, a vast multi-ethnic state that stretched from the Baltic to the Black Sea. Elected King of Poland in 1632 following the death of his father Sigismund III, Władysław was also a claimant to the Swedish throne — a dynastic ambition reflected in his coin titles. His reign saw military successes against Russia and the Ottoman Empire, and a period of relative religious tolerance that made the Commonwealth a refuge for persecuted minorities across Europe.
Gdansk (Danzig) was the Commonwealth's most important port city and one of the wealthiest urban centres in northern Europe. As a member of the Hanseatic League and a major hub of Baltic grain trade, Gdansk enjoyed extensive civic privileges including the right to strike its own silver coinage. The city's thalers were produced to high artistic and metallurgical standards, with the two-lion heraldic reverse becoming one of the most recognisable designs in Polish numismatics. The fineness marking "925" on this issue reflects the sterling silver standard of the original coin.
The 1637 Thaler sits within a rich tradition of Gdansk city coinage that spans the 16th and 17th centuries. These coins circulated widely across the Baltic trade network and are today prized by collectors of Polish, German, and Hanseatic numismatics alike. The combination of a royal portrait obverse and a civic heraldic reverse makes the Gdansk Thaler a uniquely compelling document of the political relationship between the Polish Crown and its most powerful city.
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Product Features
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Design: Obverse — Władysław IV Vasa armoured bust portrait; Reverse — Gdansk civic arms with two lions, crossed sword and palm branch, dated 1637
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Inscription (Obverse): "VLADISL·IVD·G·REX·POLO·M·D·LIT·RUS·PRUS·&·N·SUEC·&·H·REX" — Vladislaus, by the Grace of God, King of Poland, Grand Duke of Lithuania, Russia, Prussia, hereditary King of Sweden and Hungary
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Inscription (Reverse): "MONETA·ARGENTEA·CIVITATIS·GEDANENSIS·1637" — Silver money of the City of Gdansk, 1637
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Material: Copper with silver plating, antique silver finish
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Diameter: 37mm
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Finish: Antique silver
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Packaging: Securely packaged for safe arrival
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Note: This is a commemorative collectible and not legal tender
Perfect For
- Collectors of Polish, Lithuanian, and Hanseatic numismatic history
- History enthusiasts interested in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Vasa dynasty
- Display collections themed around 17th-century European silver thalers
- Admirers of Baroque-era royal portraiture and civic heraldic coin design
- Gifting to history lovers, Polish heritage enthusiasts, or collectors of world monarchs
Shipping
Free worldwide tracked shipping. Estimated delivery: 9–14 days. Each coin is securely packaged for safe arrival.
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This item is a commemorative collectible and is not affiliated with any official government mint.
This item is a commemorative collectible and is not legal tender, not issued by a government mint, and not an investment product. It is intended for hobby collecting and display purposes only.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this an original 1637 Gdansk Thaler?
- No. This is a modern commemorative collectible replica inspired by the genuine 1637 Gdansk city thaler of Władysław IV Vasa. It is not an original antique coin and has not been struck by any historical mint.
- What is the coin made from?
- The coin is made from copper with silver plating and an antique silver finish, replicating the appearance of the original 17th-century silver thaler.
- Is this coin legal tender?
- No. This is a decorative commemorative collectible with no monetary value. It cannot be used as currency.
- How is the coin packaged and shipped?
- Your coin will be securely packaged to protect it during transit and shipped with free worldwide tracked shipping. Estimated delivery is 9–14 days.
- What was the City of Gdansk and why did it mint its own coins?
- Gdansk (also known as Danzig) was a semi-autonomous Royal Prussian city under the suzerainty of the Polish Crown and one of the most important ports in the Baltic Sea trade network. As a member of the Hanseatic League, Gdansk held extensive civic privileges including the right to strike its own silver coinage. The city's thalers were produced to high artistic standards and circulated widely across northern Europe, making them among the most collectible city coins of the 17th century.
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