Grzywnik

A grzywnik (plural: grzywniki) was a unit of currency and weight used in medieval Poland, Bohemia, and Ruthenia. Its value and weight varied over time and across different regions. Generally, it referred to a specific weight of silver.

The grzywnik functioned as a standard of account, meaning transactions were often denominated in grzywniki even if the actual payment was made using other forms of currency or goods. Its value was typically linked to the value of silver in circulation.

The weight of a grzywnik also varied. Early grzywniki (e.g., in the 12th century) could be quite heavy, but the standard weight generally decreased over time. Different types of grzywniki existed, such as the grzywna krakowska (Kraków grzywna) and the grzywna praska (Prague grzywna), each with its own specific weight.

The grzywnik played a significant role in the economic and financial systems of the regions where it was used, serving as a key unit for valuing goods, calculating taxes, and recording transactions. As coinage became more prevalent, the role of the grzywnik as a physical unit of weight diminished, but it continued to function as a unit of account for a considerable period.