Illustrated Specimen Details: 10 Groszy (Russian Partition of Poland)

Example Specimen: 10 Groszy, 1840 — Russian Partition of Poland (Congress Poland)

Design & Historical Context: The obverse of this billon coin features the double-headed eagle, the heraldic symbol of the Russian Empire, reflecting the period of the Russian partition of Poland. The reverse displays the denomination 10 GROSZY 1840 surrounded by a stylized floral ornament.

Mint and Production: This piece was struck at the Warsaw Mint, identified by the initials MW (Mennica Warszawska). During this era, Polish coinage often carried a mix of Polish and Russian legends, sometimes even featuring double denominations. This specific 1840 issue had a significant mintage of 60,789,229 pieces.

Issuer: Russian Partition of Poland (Congress Poland)
Denomination: 10 Groszy
Date: 1840
Metal: Silver (0.192)
Weight: 2.79 g  |  Diameter: 19 mm
Mint: Warsaw (MW)
Estimated value: 12$
DENOMINATION GUIDE — WHERE & WHEN (coins catalog: by names & emitents)
  1. POLAND (from the 14th century to the present): One of the oldest continuous denominations. 100 groszy = 1 zloty.
KINGDOM OF POLAND (14th-16th centuries).
POLISH-LITHUANIAN COMMONWEALTH (1569-1795): 1 zloty = 30 groszy.
DUCHY OF WARSAW (1807-1815): Continued use of the grosz as a fractional unit.
MODERN POLAND: The grosz remains the subdivision of the modern zloty.

Historical Overview of the Grosz

Etymology: The name grosz (plural — groszy) comes from the Latin grossus denarius, meaning "large denarius". This term was used to distinguish the new, thicker silver coins from the thin denarii of the early Middle Ages. It is the root for the German groschen, English groat, and the Ukrainian word for money — "hroshi".

A Tradition of Seven Centuries

The grosz is a symbolic coin for Poland, boasting a nearly continuous history since the mid-14th century. It was first significantly standardized under King Casimir III the Great and reached its peak of artistic and economic influence during the Jagiellonian dynasty. For centuries, it served as the backbone of trade in Central Europe, adapting its weight and silver content to the changing political landscapes of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

The Era of Partitions

During the 19th century, when Poland was partitioned between neighboring empires, the grosz denomination was often retained by the occupying powers to maintain economic stability. The 1840 specimen from the Russian partition is a classic example of this "hybrid" numismatics, where Polish traditional denominations were minted with the heraldry of the Russian Empire. These issues are highly valued today for their historical complexity and unique design.

Numismatic Diversity and Modern Legacy

For collectors, the grosz offers an immense variety of types, including the Krakow grosz, Lithuanian grosz, and various regional mintages from Danzig (Gdansk) or Elbing (Elblag). The series spans from high-purity medieval silver to the copper and nickel-plated steel coins of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Today, the grosz continues to serve as the fractional unit of the Polish zloty. While the smallest modern coins have lost some purchasing power, they remain a tangible link to a monetary tradition that has survived wars, partitions, and economic reforms for over 700 years. Collectors particularly seek out rare mint errors, overdates, and exceptional condition pieces from the interwar period.