Marisia - Maros Megyei Múzeum Évkönyve 1. (2019)
Keve László, Zalán Győrfi: Medieval Small Finds int he Borders of Ideciu de Jos
Medieval Small Finds in the Borders of Ideciu de Jos 83 Small silver coins were carriers of internal monetary traffic in the time of Sigismund. As a consequence of the 1430 monetary reform, two types of silver coins were released, the larger denarius, called moneta maior, and the quarting, equivalent of a quarter denarius.31 According to Sigismunds Bratislava decree the quarting was made of silver of 2 lot (125 %o) and 400 pieces were worth 1 golden forint. However, this rate was impossible to hold and Sigismunds decree dating from 1432 changed it to 1000 pieces of quartings for one golden forint.32 Due to the huge inflation, by 1435 a golden forint was already the equivalent of 6000 quartings.33 Because of the low silver content and the high rate of copper, quartings soon turned brown and seemed like copper coins. Their value kept decreasing and they soon shared the fate of former inflation small change.34 The counterfeit coins from Sänisoare are made of copper, and they are of poor quality. On the obverse of the CNH II. 129 type quarting (1/4 denarius) copies there is a double cross, on their reverse, one can see a deformed crown. On the double cross’s side on the obverse, there are undistinguishable mint mark copies. Based on the mint mark copies, six of the seven coins were made on different coin die. The counterfeiters used as raw material sheets previously cut out from copper plates. The raw materials poor quality, as well as the lack of technical knowledge led to cleavage on the coins’ sides. On two pieces however, clipping was also used (Pi. II/4, 6). The coins weigh from 0,24 g to 0,40 g and are below the ideal average weight of the quarting, established by A. Pohl at 0,48g.35 COUNTERFEITING Counterfeiting meant an ever growing problem in the late Middle Ages’ Hungary, especially in the time of Sigismund of Luxembourg (1387- 1437). In his 1405 decree, Sigismund bound the acceptance of the real royal money, forbade its clipping, the separation of heavy and light coins, as well as their counterfeiting.36 However, the king’s later actions proved his helplessness in beating back the phenomenon. In his decree from 1427 he forbade among others the coining of small silver coins, and ordered the withdrawal of counterfeit small coins (denarios minores, fillerios) by Saint Jacob’s Day (July 25th). He also prohibited the selection of coins and the export of precious metals.37 It was probably during this year that the Transylvanian mint chamber moved its headquarters from Baia de Arie? (Hu: Offenbánya) to Sibiu (Hu: Nagyszeben).38 Mintage was a royal right, but Sigismund bestowed this right upon three noblemen in the hope of a more efficient defense against the Turks. Thus became the Serb despot István Lazarevics the owner of the Baia Mare (Hu: Nagybánya) mint in 1411, Miklós Redwitz, grand master of the Teutonic Order the owner of the Sibiu (Hu: Nagyszeben) mint in 1429 and this is how the Sighisoara (Hu: Segesvár) mint ended up latest in 1432 in the circle of interest of Vlad Dracul, prince of Valachia.39 According to A. Pohl, the quartings of small face value (fyrting) were issued by at least 14 mints.40 Based on the mint marks, Transylvanian quartings were issued in Sibiu, Sighi?oara, Baia Mare and presumably Lipova (Hu: Lippa).41 The quarting fell victim to great devaluation in a short time, in 1435 its worth decreased 15 times 31 Gyöngyössy 2005,14. 32 Fejér К.? , 197-198; Fejér X.7,430; Pohl 1968, 48. 33 KovÁTS 1900, 394; KovÁTS 1902, 162. 34 Pohl 1968, 48; Pohl 1972, 8. 35 Pohl 1968, 49,1. tábla. 36 CIH I, 224-225; Huszár 1976, 39. 37 KvOkl I, 164-166; Ub IV, 275-277; Huszár 1976, 40. 38 Pohl 1968, 54; Huszár 1995, 9. 39 Gyöngyössy 2016b, 342-346. 40 Pohl 1968, 48. 41 Pohl 1982, Tab. 55-59.
