DOI issue:
Artykuły / Articles
DOI article:Gaziński, Radosław; Horoszko, Genowefa: The Ducal Griffin in the coinage of West Pomerania
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.22230#0176
RADOSŁAW GAZINSKi, GENOWEFA HOROSZKO
of Riigen immurated, Fischgreif of Usedom, Griffin of Pomerania-Barth, cross
and four roses of the Giitzkow Land, and half-Griffin of Wolgast surmounting
the cheąuy.97 In addition, the tenth field, i.e. the Sangue, would be used, and sev-
eral types would also incorporate the eleventh, centrally situated, field, represent-
ing the cross of the bishopric of Kammin (perhaps to symbolize the surrender of
West Pomerania to God’s protection during the hard times of the Thirty Years’ War
(PI. 4, Fig. 16, Fig. 17).98 We also know of the thalers depicting the Griffin of
Pomerania or of Szczecin (Pomerania-Stettin), to sinister or dexter, with an up-
raised sword in one arna and the Bibie in the other, in a Baroque-type shield sur-
mounted by the ducal hat." The gold coinage was represented by guldens and
ducats. The guldens’ obverse features the four-field coats of arms depicting, most
probably, the emblems of Szczecin, Pomerania, Cassubia, and Wolgast, or the
Griffin of Szczecin (Pomerania-Stettin) in crown alone, holding a sword and the
Bibie. In turn, the gold ducats represented the nine- or ten-field great coats of arms
of West Pomerania.100
The Griffin of Pomerania, the coat of arms of the House of Griffins (Gtyfici)
and the Duchy of West Pomerania had first appeared in the coinage in ca. 1250,
about twenty years later than the ducal emblem represented on the standing and
eąuestrian seals. The contemporary coins depicted the crownless Griffin, with-
out much regard for its direction or position. The Griffm’s figurę was most often
sketchy and simplified, far from any heraldic correctness. It was most certainly due
to the process of the emblem formation, the gradual shaping of heraldic customs,
as well as, very freąuently, various levels of engraving skills. The denars would al-
ways depict representations of the Griffin as a solitary figurę. Very rare depictions
are those of two Griffins rampant within the coin’s field, with their backs tumed
towards one another,101 most likely symbolizing the division of West Pomerania
into the Duchies of Szczecin and Demmin during the reign of Barnim I (the mid-
13th century).102 It is possible that the emblems are of a later datę (if the chronol-
ogy of this coinage is shifted to the late 13th century), symbolic of the division of
Pomerania into the Duchies of Wolgast and Szczecin (after 1295). In addition to
the previous solitary Griffin representations in the coinage, the reign of Bogislaw
X also marked the appearance of the multi-field coats of arms (first four-, then also
97 Thalers with the nine-field shield: Hild. 312, MNS 6812, 6828; Hild. 350, MNS 9161.
98 Thalers with the ten-field shield including the cross: Hild. 318, MNS 9160; Hild. 323, MNS 11402; Hild.
327, MNS 6813, 12163; Hild. 328, MNS 14194; ducat: Hild. 299, MNS 15148.
99 Thalers: Hild. 309, MNS 9160.
100 Ducats: Hild., 295, MNS 15484; Hild. 299, MNS 15484.
101 Denars-. Dbg 68, 68a, MNS-7099.
102 DANNENBERG, Miinzgeschichle..., pp. 53-54.
of Riigen immurated, Fischgreif of Usedom, Griffin of Pomerania-Barth, cross
and four roses of the Giitzkow Land, and half-Griffin of Wolgast surmounting
the cheąuy.97 In addition, the tenth field, i.e. the Sangue, would be used, and sev-
eral types would also incorporate the eleventh, centrally situated, field, represent-
ing the cross of the bishopric of Kammin (perhaps to symbolize the surrender of
West Pomerania to God’s protection during the hard times of the Thirty Years’ War
(PI. 4, Fig. 16, Fig. 17).98 We also know of the thalers depicting the Griffin of
Pomerania or of Szczecin (Pomerania-Stettin), to sinister or dexter, with an up-
raised sword in one arna and the Bibie in the other, in a Baroque-type shield sur-
mounted by the ducal hat." The gold coinage was represented by guldens and
ducats. The guldens’ obverse features the four-field coats of arms depicting, most
probably, the emblems of Szczecin, Pomerania, Cassubia, and Wolgast, or the
Griffin of Szczecin (Pomerania-Stettin) in crown alone, holding a sword and the
Bibie. In turn, the gold ducats represented the nine- or ten-field great coats of arms
of West Pomerania.100
The Griffin of Pomerania, the coat of arms of the House of Griffins (Gtyfici)
and the Duchy of West Pomerania had first appeared in the coinage in ca. 1250,
about twenty years later than the ducal emblem represented on the standing and
eąuestrian seals. The contemporary coins depicted the crownless Griffin, with-
out much regard for its direction or position. The Griffm’s figurę was most often
sketchy and simplified, far from any heraldic correctness. It was most certainly due
to the process of the emblem formation, the gradual shaping of heraldic customs,
as well as, very freąuently, various levels of engraving skills. The denars would al-
ways depict representations of the Griffin as a solitary figurę. Very rare depictions
are those of two Griffins rampant within the coin’s field, with their backs tumed
towards one another,101 most likely symbolizing the division of West Pomerania
into the Duchies of Szczecin and Demmin during the reign of Barnim I (the mid-
13th century).102 It is possible that the emblems are of a later datę (if the chronol-
ogy of this coinage is shifted to the late 13th century), symbolic of the division of
Pomerania into the Duchies of Wolgast and Szczecin (after 1295). In addition to
the previous solitary Griffin representations in the coinage, the reign of Bogislaw
X also marked the appearance of the multi-field coats of arms (first four-, then also
97 Thalers with the nine-field shield: Hild. 312, MNS 6812, 6828; Hild. 350, MNS 9161.
98 Thalers with the ten-field shield including the cross: Hild. 318, MNS 9160; Hild. 323, MNS 11402; Hild.
327, MNS 6813, 12163; Hild. 328, MNS 14194; ducat: Hild. 299, MNS 15148.
99 Thalers: Hild. 309, MNS 9160.
100 Ducats: Hild., 295, MNS 15484; Hild. 299, MNS 15484.
101 Denars-. Dbg 68, 68a, MNS-7099.
102 DANNENBERG, Miinzgeschichle..., pp. 53-54.