Vierchen

The Vierchen emerged in Western Pomerania at the beginning of the 15th century. They were medium-sized currency units of 4 small deniers (Vinkenaugen), minted from low-grade silver 275/1000. Besides Szczecin, the manufacturers of these coins were its economically related towns - Pyrzyce, Gartz on the Oder, Stargard, and Goleniów. The Vierchen did not play a major role in circulation and became a local divisional currency in the eastern part of Pomerania. With regard to their outlook, they reproduced the same images found on deniers, circumscribed with the legend of the town in the case of Szczecin, Pyrzyce and Gartz. The lack of date inscriptions makes it difficult to date the Vierchen, all of which have been found in hoards. Although many types are known, it is impossible to establish a definite chronology. According to the minting privilege of 1345, the city had to observe the Münzfuß and use the duke's mark on its coins, which is why the presented Vierchen bears the duke's mark next to the city's mark. The fate of the late medieval mintage of Szczecin is linked to the policy of the main North German cities, which formed mint associations and introduced new, bulkier monetary units into circulation. Following their example, in 1408 the municipal government of Szczecin launched the Vierchen in the local market. Szczecin enjoyed minting rights for almost a century and a half, and the numerous coins found with the image of a crowned griffin's head testify to the significant contribution of the local government to issuing coins in West Pomerania in the 15th century. Genowefa Horoszko