Denarius of Bolesław the Curly

After Władysław (1138-1146), the senior of the dynasty, was deposed from the throne, Bolesław the Curly (1146-1173) became the supreme prince of the Polish quarter. His sovereign power included the exclusive right to issue money, which in addition to its economic function conveyed propaganda messages. At the same time, the minting of coins brought significant income to the princely treasury, which was achieved through the cyclical exchange of coins according to a conversion advantageous to the issuer (for example, three old denarii for two new ones). It guaranteed a profit of several dozen percent. New issues were distinguished by different, easily distinguishable images. The exchange of money was a form of tax imposed on subjects. However, its frequent use increased social discontent, which could turn into a rebellion threatening the authorities. This prompted Bolesław the Curly to abandon the fiscal policy of his predecessor and significantly reduce the frequency of the exchange of denarii. Therefore, during the twenty-seven years of his reign, he minted only four basic types of coins, related to the exchange. The treasury administration of the time was not efficient enough to carry out a complete exchange of money, and some older issues functioned in parallel with the newly introduced ones.

The bust of the prince with a sword pointing upwards depicted on the obverse of the discussed denarius, dating from around 1164 to around 1170, expressed the ability of the ruler to defend the state and the Church against physical and spiritual enemies. It indicated his judicial supremacy and just rule. Among the three brothers behind the table shown on the reverse, the figure seated in the middle should be identified with Bolesław, the senior, who was certainly accompanied by his brother Mieszko (born between 1122 and 1125). The third figure may have been Henryk Sandomierski († 1166) or the youngest of the brothers, Casimir the Just (born 1138). If it was Casimir the Just, the coinage would have been issued after the death of Henryk Sandomierski. The depiction of the prince-in-chief in the company of his brothers was intended to show a harmonious cooperation in the Piast dynasty, free from the conflicts with which the previous reign had been saturated.

The denars of Prince Bolesław remained in use for several decades.

Tomasz Markiewicz