Boratynka

A boratynka (plural: boratynki; also known as boratki) was a small, copper coin issued in Poland during the reign of King John II Casimir Vasa (1649-1668). Officially known as a szeląg (shilling), it was nicknamed boratynka after Tito Livio Burattini, the Italian mintmaster who was contracted to produce them. These coins were notable for their poor quality and low silver content, despite being nominally equal to one-third of a grosz.

Boratynki were minted in large quantities in order to alleviate the financial difficulties facing the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, particularly following the devastating Deluge (a series of wars and invasions in the mid-17th century). Mints were established in Ujazd, Brest-Litovsk, and Vilnius, among other locations.

The obverse of the boratynka typically featured the royal crown and the initials of the king, "ICR" (Ioannes Casimirus Rex). The reverse usually displayed the Polish eagle or the Lithuanian Pahonia (mounted knight), along with the denomination and mint mark.

Due to the debased metal and the large volume of issuance, boratynki contributed to significant inflation and economic instability in Poland. Despite their negative impact, they remained in circulation for several decades after John Casimir's reign, demonstrating the scarcity of currency in the period. They are now popular collectibles.