In 1971, a large treasure trove of 17th century silver coins was donated to the Bryansk State Regional Ethnography Museum. It was found near the town of Pochep. The treasure consisted of 96 high- and medium denomination coins, more than half of which were Southern Netherlands money – patagons, half patagons and quarter patagons. The other coins were minted in the Northern Netherlands and Poland between 1617 and 1695.
Silver Thaler
Creation period
1656
Dimensions
Diameter 4.1 centimetres, weight 28 grams
Technique
Silver, casting, chasing
Collection
Exhibition
2
Open in app#1
Silver Thaler
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Historians believe that the treasure was most likely buried in a hurry: instead of a special treasure container, the money was placed in a simple earthen vessel that looked like a mug. The owner must have hidden them in 1708 during the Northern War, when the troops of Swedish King Charles XII approached Pochep.
The Bryansk Antiquities Collection features a silver patagon from the Pochep treasure. Such coins were also called thalers or albertustalers after Dutch governor Archduke Albert of Austria, under whom they started to be issued.
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In Russia, Western European thalers were called Yefimoks, as some coins had the image of St. Joachim (Yefim) on them. Dutch coins had yet another name – kryzhovy yefimok. The word kryzh meant the cross on the obverse of patagons.
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The patagon from Bryansk Antiquities Collection was cast from silver of 875 millesimal fineness: the alloy included 87.5% of pure precious metal with the remaining part comprising other additives required for greater strength and durability.
Silver Thaler (reverse)
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On the front side of the coin is X-shaped cross, the emblem of Spain’s overseas possessions, which the Southern Netherlands was part of in the 17thcentury. Such a cross was also called St. Andrew’s cross, as according to the legend Apostle Andrew the First-Called was crucified on an X-shaped cross. The obverse, the front side of the coin, also bears the year it was minted in and beginning of the legend inscription consisting of the name of the monarch: ‘Philip IV, by the Grace of God the King of Spain, India, & c.’
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The inscription continues of the reverse of the thaler saying Archduke of Austria, Duke and Count of Burgundy, & c. It also contains Spain’s coat of arms of the 17th century – a shield with coats of arms of the duchies and kingdoms that were part of its realms. The image is surrounded by the chain of the Order of the Golden Fleece, one of the most honorary awards not only in Spain, but also in the entire Western Europe.
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Bryansk State Regional Ethnography Museum
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Silver Thaler
Creation period
1656
Dimensions
Diameter 4.1 centimetres, weight 28 grams
Technique
Silver, casting, chasing
Collection
Exhibition
2
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