Reconstructed fragment of approx. ¾ of an obol, Dbg 644 type

An obol is a small early medieval silver coin worth half a denarius. Obols are very rare finds, both in Poland and abroad. In Silesia they are found mostly singly, less frequently several in some hoards (up to 8 specimens in Kowale), mostly in hoards hidden at the turn of the 10th and 11th centuries and in the early 11th century. These are both German issues, primarily Saxon or Bavarian, but Czech or Moravian obols also occur. The Saxon obol from the treasure from Małkowice area has no analogue among the finds from Silesia; the type is also rarely found in other areas.