Obituary coin…
Half-ort or 1/8th of the thaler, silver coin minted in 1659 by prince John III of Brieg to commemorate death and burial of his first wife, Sophie Catharine Podiebrad, princess of Silesia, Brieg and Liegnitz:
Sophia Catharina Duciss Siles Lign Breg
Nata 1602 D 2 SEPT, Nupta 1638 D 22 FEBR Denata 1659 D 21 MART
Einhalbreichsort
i.e. Sophie Catahrine, princess of Silesia, Brieg and Liegnitz, born September 2, 1602, married February 22, 1638, died March 21, 1659.
(Av.) SOPHIA CATHARINA DUCISS(a) SILES(iae) LIGN(icensis) BREG(ensis), (Rv.) PENULTIMA E STIRPE DUC(um) MON-STERB(ergensium) OLSN(ensium) COMIT(um) GLAC(ensium); NATA / A(nn)O I60I D(ie) 2 SEPT(embris) / NUPTA / I638 D(ie) 22 FEBR(uarii) / DENATA / I659 D(ie) 2I MART(ii) / EIN HALB REICHS / ORTH
Interesting example of early commemorative coin – minted as legal tender, but not intended for general circulation. Such coins were given away to those who attended funeral pro memoria – so one could say that it was a kind of obituary.
Silesian coin, minted by one of the last princes coming from side branch of Polish Royal Piast line, so it deemed to belong to Polish coinage, although follows German standards.