(sold for $11.0)

1516, Bohemia, Vladislaus II. Broad Silver Prague Grossus Coin. VF+

Condition: VF+
Mint period: 1471-1516 AD.
Reference: Saurma 407. var.
Denomination: Prague Grossus ("Pragergroschen").
Diameter: 27mm
Material: Silver
Weight: 2.38gm

Obverse: Lion rampant left, within inner circle. Legend around.
Legend: * + * GROSSI PRAGENSES

Reverse: Crown with two fleur du lis symbols inside, two bands of legends around.
Legend: +WLADISLAVS SECVNDS / +DEI:GRATIA:REX:BOEMIE

From 960-1260, coins circulated freely only in areas surrounding Prague, creating a trading network with some specialization. In the rural areas, peasants continued to trade food and forest products for manufactured goods, while in the farther regions of Bohemia the economy remained centered in tribal hillforts and the immediate local availability of goods.

However, everything changed with the discovery of silver mines in Bohemia. From 1250-1412, preciousmetalproduction shifted from western europe to Bohemia. The massive output of silver mines at Jihlava enabled King Otakar II to draw 2000 marks, or 4 tonnes of silver, per year for his own personal coffers. In 1298, Kutna Hora's silver stores were discovered and in its first, this mine produced 6.5 tonnes of silver. Although throughout its operation 1298-1420, the diminishing output ended up averaging two tonnes of silver per year.

The new supplies of silver and gold flooded economies everywhere in East Central Europe, leading to inflation in price and a suddenly very wealthy international merchant class. Coin issues were regularized with the new large groschen. This coin was the heaviest coin struck in Bohemian history, leading to its name "denarius grossus," or "heavy dinar". The Prague Grossus was first struck in Kutna Hora in 1300 by King Vaclav II.

As far as income goes, a skilled artisan or mercenary soldier in 15th century Prague made 1 groschen per day as a wage or living allowance.

Vladislaus II (1 March 1456 – 13 March 1516), also known as Ladislaus Jagiellon, was King of Bohemia from 1471 and King of Hungary and Croatia from 1490 until his death in 1516. He was also a knight of the Order of the Dragon.