Livonia – Duchy of Livonia
Jan Chodkiewicz (Jan Chodkiewicz / Johann Chodkiewicz)
Billon Schilling
A historic billon Schilling from the Duchy of Livonia, associated with Jan Chodkiewicz (Johann Chodkiewicz), who served as administrator and military leader of Livonia during the late 16th century. This coin belongs to the period of political transition in Livonia, when the region was contested among Poland-Lithuania, Sweden, and Russia.
The Schilling was a common small denomination in northern and eastern Europe, used for everyday commerce. Struck in billon—a low-silver alloy of silver and copper—this coin reflects the practical coinage system of the era and the economic conditions of the Baltic region.
Livonian issues are especially interesting to collectors because they represent the complex history of a crossroads between German, Baltic, Polish-Lithuanian, and Scandinavian influences. Coins from this period provide a tangible connection to the changing political landscape of northeastern Europe.
Region: Livonia (Baltic Region)
Authority: Jan Chodkiewicz
Period: Late 16th Century
Denomination: Schilling
Metal: Billon (silver-copper alloy)
Weight: 1.0 grams
A fascinating Baltic medieval/early modern coin representing the history of Livonia and the struggles for control of this strategically important region.
