Od ukrycia do odkrycia. Skarb – nie skarb na pograniczu Korony Polskiej i Wielkiego Księstwa Litewskiego XVI–XVIII w.

Abstract

The number of coin and isolated artefacts treasures in the mo dern period (XVI–XVIII centuries) undergoes, first and foremost, stati stical and hypothetical analyses. In contrast to the early medieval period, coin tre asures found in the Polish land contain coin-shaped gold and silver bullion, bu t not gold bars, the so-called “placki” – pieces of bullion, although items of ev eryday use (trays, jugs, chalices, goblets, gravy-boats, etc.) made of precious met als, often decorated with European coins, can be found. It was not unusual to recast coi ns and medals into medallions and medals in pedants or in decorated belts, whic h were often studded with ancient coins. One has to remember about a specific role of the coin hidden in t he form of a treasure or isolated artefacts. Firstly, it was used as a me ans of payment and its value was regulated by law. In the case of foreign coins in circulation in the Polish territory, legal regulations were replaced by evalu ation tables, which were available to merchants, bankers and all those who officially d ealt with money circulation. The function of the coin as a circular means was also very important. Still, not everybody realizes that the coin fulfilled anothe r vital function – it was a means of accumulation of assets – which seemed essential fr om the point of view of those hiding coin treasures. In the times of econom ic, political and military unrest, it was the most convenient to accumulate mo vable property in the form of coins. The appendix attached to this article contains dishes dated by coin treasures from the discussed period.