Maciej Salamon
(Jagiellonian University, Cracoiu)
THE BYZANTINE GOLD COIN FOUND AT ŻÓŁKÓW,
(SOUTHERN POLAND), AND THE PROBLEM OF
LIGHTWEIGHT SOLIDI IN CENTRAL EUROPE
One of the most interesting early medieval monetary finds on Polish territory
is the solidus of Heraclius (610-641) discovered in Żółków near Jasło, Gorlice
province. The item was published almost simultaneously by two competent Polish
numismatists, Tadeusz Kałkowski1 and Stefan Skowronek2 in 1969-1970. The
data in these publications have found their way to Polish numismatic and ar-
chaeological literaturę, and the solidus itself has been rightly całled the last "an-
cient" or the earliest medieval coin to surface in Poland,3 Even though the recently
published catalog of monetary finds by K. Beyer informs of a solidus found in
central Poland (near Łęczyca) dating from the time of Theodosius III, early eighth
century,4 this does not diminish the importance of the Żółków find. On the con-
trary, it seems to lend credibility to a discovery that partly bridges the gap in
our knowledge of monetary circulation on Polish territory in the obscure seventh
century. Research literaturę makes a reference to the Carpathian context of the
discussed piece. I would propose a broader look and place Heraclius' solidus
in an area embracing southem and partly central Poland in which coins of various
1 T. Kałkowski, "Żółków pow. Jasio. Solid bizantyjski z VII w.," {Żółków near Jasło. The Byzantine
Solidus of the Seventh Century), Wiadomości Numizmatyczne, 12 (1969), pp. 46M7.
2 S. Skowronek, "Solid bizantyjski z Żółkowa nad Wisłoką" {The Byzantine Solidus of Żółków
on the Wisłoka), Acta Archaeologica Carpathica, 11 (1970), pp. 128-129. I am grateful to Professor Sko-
wronek for information he supplied me with.
3 E. Gąssowska, Bizancjum a ziemie północno-zachodnio-słoiuiańskie we wczesnym średnioioieczu. Studium
archeologiczne {Byzantium and North-West-Slavic lands in Early Middle Ages. An Archaeological Study)
(Wrocław: 1979), p. 53; M. Salamon, "Mennictwo bizantyjskie. Stan badań i perspektywy" {Byzantine
Coinage. The Present Status and Futurę Prospects) in: Pieniądz starożytny. Stan badań i perspektywy
polskich badań {Ancient Coins. The Current State and Prospects for Research in Poland) (Warszawa: 1984),
p. 115.; A. Kunisz, Znaleziska monet rzymskich z Małopolski {Roman Coin Finds in Little Poland} (Wrocław:
1985), No. 337, pp. 259-284; A. Bursche, "Znaleziska monet rzymskich z Małopolski. Uwagi na mar-
ginesie inwentarza Andrzeja Kunisza" {Roman Coin Finds in Little Poland. Remarks on Andrzej
Kunisz's Inventory), Wiadomości Numizmatyczne, 32 (1988), p. 208. The terms "ancient" or "medieval"
refer not only to the chronological division assumed but also to find association with a given group
of relics. Two other coins from the time of Heraclius were found in Pomerania (one is uncertain),
but they are linked with a different circulation sphere.
4 E. Triller, "Wykopaliska monet Karola Beyera" {Karol Beyer's Coin Finds), Wiadomości Numiz-
matyczne, 35 (1991), p. 51, No. 54.
97
(Jagiellonian University, Cracoiu)
THE BYZANTINE GOLD COIN FOUND AT ŻÓŁKÓW,
(SOUTHERN POLAND), AND THE PROBLEM OF
LIGHTWEIGHT SOLIDI IN CENTRAL EUROPE
One of the most interesting early medieval monetary finds on Polish territory
is the solidus of Heraclius (610-641) discovered in Żółków near Jasło, Gorlice
province. The item was published almost simultaneously by two competent Polish
numismatists, Tadeusz Kałkowski1 and Stefan Skowronek2 in 1969-1970. The
data in these publications have found their way to Polish numismatic and ar-
chaeological literaturę, and the solidus itself has been rightly całled the last "an-
cient" or the earliest medieval coin to surface in Poland,3 Even though the recently
published catalog of monetary finds by K. Beyer informs of a solidus found in
central Poland (near Łęczyca) dating from the time of Theodosius III, early eighth
century,4 this does not diminish the importance of the Żółków find. On the con-
trary, it seems to lend credibility to a discovery that partly bridges the gap in
our knowledge of monetary circulation on Polish territory in the obscure seventh
century. Research literaturę makes a reference to the Carpathian context of the
discussed piece. I would propose a broader look and place Heraclius' solidus
in an area embracing southem and partly central Poland in which coins of various
1 T. Kałkowski, "Żółków pow. Jasio. Solid bizantyjski z VII w.," {Żółków near Jasło. The Byzantine
Solidus of the Seventh Century), Wiadomości Numizmatyczne, 12 (1969), pp. 46M7.
2 S. Skowronek, "Solid bizantyjski z Żółkowa nad Wisłoką" {The Byzantine Solidus of Żółków
on the Wisłoka), Acta Archaeologica Carpathica, 11 (1970), pp. 128-129. I am grateful to Professor Sko-
wronek for information he supplied me with.
3 E. Gąssowska, Bizancjum a ziemie północno-zachodnio-słoiuiańskie we wczesnym średnioioieczu. Studium
archeologiczne {Byzantium and North-West-Slavic lands in Early Middle Ages. An Archaeological Study)
(Wrocław: 1979), p. 53; M. Salamon, "Mennictwo bizantyjskie. Stan badań i perspektywy" {Byzantine
Coinage. The Present Status and Futurę Prospects) in: Pieniądz starożytny. Stan badań i perspektywy
polskich badań {Ancient Coins. The Current State and Prospects for Research in Poland) (Warszawa: 1984),
p. 115.; A. Kunisz, Znaleziska monet rzymskich z Małopolski {Roman Coin Finds in Little Poland} (Wrocław:
1985), No. 337, pp. 259-284; A. Bursche, "Znaleziska monet rzymskich z Małopolski. Uwagi na mar-
ginesie inwentarza Andrzeja Kunisza" {Roman Coin Finds in Little Poland. Remarks on Andrzej
Kunisz's Inventory), Wiadomości Numizmatyczne, 32 (1988), p. 208. The terms "ancient" or "medieval"
refer not only to the chronological division assumed but also to find association with a given group
of relics. Two other coins from the time of Heraclius were found in Pomerania (one is uncertain),
but they are linked with a different circulation sphere.
4 E. Triller, "Wykopaliska monet Karola Beyera" {Karol Beyer's Coin Finds), Wiadomości Numiz-
matyczne, 35 (1991), p. 51, No. 54.
97