Experimental Coining of a Prague Groschen Replica

Jaroslav Jelínek, Alena Selucká

Archeologia technica, vol. 32 (2021)
Pages: 11–21
Language: Czech
Type of article: scientific article
DOI: n/a

Abstract:
The subject of this paper is reconstruction of the manual coining of a Prague groschen from the reign of Wenceslaus II (1278–1305). The objective was to achieve the most faithful possible procedure of preparing the silver alloy, its casting, the production of the plate, the planchet, and its modification, including annealing, whitening and polishing. The investigation also involved striking and producing the die. The experiment confirmed that each technological operation was valid, and in addition new findings were made about the method of producing dies from carburized wrought iron, casting the silver alloy into fustian and wet sand polishing. Individual phases of the process are documented in photographs and detailed comments.