Władysław III of Varna Denar

Władysław III's denar is one of the few coins issued by a king who met his end on the battlefield at age twenty, a stark reminder that not all rulers die in bed.

These silver pieces, minted in Poland between 1434 and 1444, typically feature the king's name and a cross on the obverse, reflecting the era's Gothic style. They were produced in Kraków and other royal mints, using standard silver alloys of the time.

Exact mintage numbers are lost to history; records from that period often went up in smoke during later wars. Still, surviving examples show wear from circulation, suggesting they served as everyday currency amid the Jagiellonian dynasty's expansions.

The design isn't revolutionary—it's a simple denar—but enthusiasts sometimes overstate its rarity. As for myths, let's just say not every coin from a "battle king" carries a curse.