Rare 15th-century silver coin of Duke Vytautas unearthed in Poltava
Rare 15th-century coin found in Poltava Oblast (Photo: Yurii Puholovok)
A rare 15th-century silver denier minted under Grand Duke Vytautas of Lithuania was discovered in Poltava Oblast, archaeologist Yurii Puholovok announced on Sept. 8.
Researchers recovered a silver denier of Grand Duke Vytautas of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, likely struck between 1411 and 1430, during Hlynsk archaeological expedition in Poltava Oblast.
The excavations were conducted within the Bilsk Historical and Cultural Reserve.
The recovered coin measures 13 millimeters (roughly 0.5 inches) in diameter. One side depicts the Columns of Gediminas — one of Lithuania’s earliest state symbols, which now forms part of its lesser coat of arms. The reverse side features a spearhead surmounted by a cross.
The combination of these insignias preliminarily dates the denier to the later reign of Vytautas, public broadcaster Suspilne reported.
Initial assessments determined that the coin represents a late denier issued by the Lithuanian grand duke. The pairing of these emblems is characteristic of a specific coin type tied to the closing era of Vytautas's rule, pointing to an approximate mintage window between 1411 and 1430 as part of his final coin emissions.
"According to modern research, these coins were likely struck between roughly 1411 and 1430. This type was earlier attributed to various rulers and eras, including Kęstutis, Jogaila, or the early reign of Vytautas," Puholovok said.
Specialist added that the discovery is exceptionally rare for the region, as comparable coins are virtually unknown among excavated artifacts from local sites of this period. The denier offers physical evidence of an era when the lands along the Vorskla River served as a dynamic frontier bridging Ruthenian, Lithuanian, and Golden Horde civilizations.
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