Russia / Poland (Moscow, Kadashevsky mint) Tynf (18 Groszy) 1707 ILL - Peter I the Great (1682-1725)

6.12g. 29mm. VF-/VF+. 

Two crosses at the end of legend. 

Bitkin 3800 R1. 

Very rare. 

The Russian shestaks (6 groszy) and tynfs (18 groszy) of Peter I were created during the Great Northern War for use in the Polish-Lithuanian and Saxon monetary environment, rather than for ordinary Russian domestic circulation. Their purpose was connected with military payments, diplomatic needs, and Russia’s support of Augustus II, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland. 

Preparation began in 1706, when samples were examined and standards of weight and fineness were discussed. Coinage started in 1707, involving Russian mints, and the issue was financially advantageous because the coins could be used in the theatre of war at a favourable exchange rate. 

According to the article, the shestak (6 groszy) had a direct Polish prototype - the Polish 6 groszy coin. The prototype of the tynf (18 groszy) was more complex: since regular Polish tynfs had not been struck after 1686, the article suggests that the practical model for the Russian tynf was probably the Saxon 1/6 thaler of Frederick Augustus I, close to the tynf in value, type, and silver content. 

In summary, the shestaks (6 groszy) and tynfs (18 groszy) of Peter I were special wartime coinages, adapting Polish-Saxon monetary models to Russian fiscal and military needs during the Great Northern War.