Stanislaus Leszczyński Grosz

Stanislaus Leszczyński's grosz was struck in copper to fund his insurgent court during the War of the Polish Succession, a conflict that saw him ousted after just a few years.

These coins, minted between 1733 and 1736, likely came from makeshift facilities in Lorraine, where Leszczyński retreated under French protection. The designs were simple: a crowned eagle on one side, his monogram on the other, reflecting his tenuous grip on power. Records suggest the metal was sourced locally, possibly from scrap, but exact origins remain murky—much like his political alliances.

We don't know the precise mintage figures; archives from that era were scattered during later wars. What is clear is that few survived in circulation, given the rapid collapse of his regime.

One oddity: the coin's size made it easy to lose in a pocket, much like Leszczyński's throne.