Gold Donatives of Gdansk

by Stan Garczynski

Struck in Poland in the 16^th and 17^th centuries, exquisite gold pieces combined the best features of coins and commemorative medals.

DURING THE RULE of the Polish kings (1582-1685), beautiful gold issues called "donatives" were minted in Gdansk (Danzig). These unique pieces of art reflected the high cultural standards and economic status of this wealthy, influential city. (In fact, Gdansk was the most important regional port along the Baltic Sea during the late Renaissance and baroque eras.) The intriguing issues derive their name from their use as city donations to visiting kings and royally appointed officials and emissaries. Categorized as a hybrid of gold coins and medals, donatives are identified in terms of gold ducats, but these pieces did not circulate as regular issues.
This special category of coinage existed only to fulfill the local custom in the cities of Gdansk and Torun of presenting a visiting monarch a small barrel of gold coins minted for the occasion. It was not a gift without substantial profit potential. The city benefited considerably by the king's presence. A royal entourage often stayed in the town for a period of several weeks or months, spending lots of money on food, wine and various forms of entertainment. Also on these occasions, wealthy merchants had the opportunity to lobby the king for special trade privileges.

POLISH NUMIZMATICS

Actual size: 34.5 mm

This 1-ducat donative was issued to honor King Stephen Bathory (1575-86)

The oldest known gold donative was struck in 1552 for King Sigismund Augustus and bore the following inscription: MONUMENTUM REGIAE CMTATIS GEDANENSTS ("monument of the royal city of Gdansk"). Czapski Polish Coins lists a total of 68 numismatic pieces described as "donatives." The specimens are categorized as 54 gold and 6 silver Gdansk, and 8 gold Torun minted in the following years of each monarch's reign:

Stephen Bathory-1582 and 1585
Sigismund III - 1614, 1617, 1619 and 1631
Wladyslaw IV - 1634-35, 1644-45 and 1647-49
John Casirnir - 1649-51, 1654-56, 1658-59 and 1666
Michael Wisniowiecki - 1670
Jan III Sobieski - 1685

Port of Gdansk (1765), an illustration by F.A. Lohrmann, pictures the thriving seaport. With Centtral Europe and Prussia to the west, Russia to the east and the Vistula River leading to Poland's interior, Gdansk was strategically situated at the crossroads of commerce and sea travel.

This 1614 donative of King Sigismund III was valued at 10 ducats.
The majority of gold donatives -- representing various values-were issued during the reigns of Kings Wadyslaw IV and John Casimir. King Sigismund III's reign produced only a 20-ducat donative. Silver specitriens were issued solely under the auspices of Wadyslaw IV, Michael Wisniowiecki and Jan III Sobieski, and were intended as gifts for administrative officials and other lesser personages.
Regardless of composition, all donatives possess exceptional artistic value. Designed by the most accomplished sculptors of the time, the pieces display late Renaissance and decorative baroque styling. When combined with the era's improved mechanical striking technology, the pieces emerged as miniature works of art.
During the 100 years of their issuance, donatives remained basically the same. Certain influences, however, predominated at different times. The earlier donatives, created during the reigns of Stephen Bathory and Sigismund III and the early part of Wladyslaw IV's reign, display more of the characteristics of coins. All donatives of the John Casimir, Michael Wisniowiecki and Jan Sobieski eras, on the other hand, bear a closer resemblance to medals.

Characteristically, the obverses of all donatives carry an effigy of the reigning monarch, surrounded by his official title. Early pieces are crammed with decorative details, especially concerning the king's attire (such as his lace and jewelry), as well as regal symbols like ornate branches of palm trees waving above the clouds. The reverses vary. Early issues always show the crest of the city, two lions holding a shield with two crosses, and a crown on top. Panoramic views of the city are exceptionally accurate. One can identify the massive church of St. Marv, as well as the old Gothic City Hall with its high, slender tower topped with a statue of the Polish King Sigismund Augustus (holding a lance ornamented with the image of a ship).

Despite their non-circulating nature, donatives had much in common with legal-tender coinage. All were valued on a par with the gold content of a ducat-for example, 20, 10, 8 and so on, down to 1 1/2 ducats. (No donative valued at I gold ducat was ever issued.) Along with a date, many specimens carried a number representing their value in ducats.

Reminiscent of the style of commemorative medallions, donatives were issued only on special occasions, independent of regular economic requirements. Also in keeping with medallic form, the donative bore an inscription reading EX AURO SOLIDO CIVITAS GEDANENSIS ("the royal city of Gdansk ordered to strike in gold"), or some times simply REGIA CIVITAS ("royal city'), and usually included the artist's or die cutter's initials.

The majority of the original types of donatives have survived and are on display in Polish museums and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. They are considered rare examples of this numismatic art.

A 5-ducat donative of King Wladyslaw IV, issued in 1645, Typical of later issues, the reverse shows a detailed view of the city

A third-generation numismatist and expert on Polish coins, Stan Garczynski is a member of the Texas Numismatic Association, Bellaire Coin Club and Greater Houston Coin Club,(where be has served as vice president and editor of the "Double Shift" newsletter). He also is a founding member of the Polish American Numismatic Association and author of numerous articles on Polish numismatics.

Published in March 1999 edition of The Numismatist