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

Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor (983–1002)

Ossoliński National Institute

Ossoliński National Institute
Wrocław, Poland

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.

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  • Title: Reconstructed fragment of approx. ¾ of an obol, Dbg 644 type
  • Creator: Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor (983–1002)
  • Date Created: 995-1000
  • Location Created: Saxony, Magdeburg mint
  • Physical Dimensions: diameter 15.0 mm; weight 0.405 g OBVERSE: In the border a shrine. Around the edge: [MAGA] D [ABEGS]. REVERSE: In the border a small bachelor's cross. In the rim traces of an inscription: [N] NoM [INIDNIIMEN].
  • Provenance: A treasure from the vicinity of Małkowice; a 2022 donation from the Conservator of Monuments; the collection of the Lubomirski Princes' Museum in the National Ossoliński Institute
  • Type: coin
  • Medium: minting
Ossoliński National Institute

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