Boratynka: Copper Solid of the Polish-Lithuanian State

Illustrated Specimen Details: Lithuanian Boratynka (Solid)

Example Specimen: Boratynka (Solidus), 1665 (Grand Duchy of Lithuania)

Iconography & Origin: This copper solidus (locally known as a boratynka) was struck in 1665 at the Kaunas (Kowno) Mint in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, then part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The obverse features the portrait of King John II Casimir Vasa along with the inscription IOAN CAS REX (John Casimir, by God's grace King of Poland) and the initials G.F.H. for the mintmaster Georgas Fon Hornis. The reverse displays the Pahonia (Vytis) — the armored knight on horseback holding a raised sword — representing the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. It features the inscription SOLI MAG DVC LIT (Solid of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania), a crown at the top, and a deer's head at the bottom, which served as the mint mark for Kaunas.

1. POLISH-LITHUANIAN COMMONWEALTH (1659-1668): boratynka (or solid) = 1/3 grosz

About the name: "Boratynka" (plural: boratynki) is a conditional, unofficial name used for the mass-produced copper solids issued in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth between 1659-1668. The name is derived from Tito Livio Burattini, an Italian engineer, architect, and tenant of the state mint who proposed and managed the production of this coinage. Formally, these coins were solids, often referred to by the population as "szeląg".

The History of the Boratynka: A Monetary Crisis Token

During the mid-17th century, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth faced severe fiscal strain and devastating economic damage caused by wars, most notably the Swedish invasion (the Deluge) and ongoing conflicts with Russia and the Ottoman Empire. A critical shortage of silver forced the state to introduce a cheap, fiduciary copper token currency to satisfy everyday domestic trade requirements and manage state debts.

Two Regional Varieties

Boratynkas were minted in immense quantities across several mints, including Kraków, Ujazdów, Vilnius, Brest-Litovsk, and Kaunas. They are divided into two distinct regional types based on their heraldry:

• Crown Boratynka (szeląg koronny) — minted for Poland, featuring the Polish Eagle.
• Lithuanian Boratynka (szeląg litewski) — minted for the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, featuring the Pahonia (Vytis).

While the vast majority of these issues bear the initials T.L.B. to indicate Burattini's administration, specific regional issues like the 1665 Kaunas specimen bear the marks of local mint officials, such as Georgas Fon Hornis (G.F.H.).

Economic Impact and Inflation

As one of the earliest examples of state mass-produced copper token coinage in Europe, the boratynka successfully provided much-needed marketplace liquidity. However, overproduction, widespread counterfeiting, and progressive debasement rapidly led to public distrust and severe inflation. The currency quickly illustrated the economic principle that "bad money drives out good". Physical characteristics varied slightly due to the chaotic nature of production, with diameters ranging around 14-16 mm and weights averaging 1-2 g.

Key Point

The boratynka was a crucial 17th-century copper token coin of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Today, they represent a key numismatic source type for studying early modern European economic crises and the historical transition from precious metal coinage toward fiat and token currencies.

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