Josip Ruđer Bošković
(1711-1787)

Croatian physicist, astronomer, mathematician, philosopher, diplomat, poet and Jesuit.

He is famous for his atomic theory, given as a clear, precisely-formulated system utilizing principles of Newtonian mechanics. This work inspired Michael Faraday to develop field theory for electromagnetic interaction, and was even a basis for Albert Einstein's attempts for a unified field theory, according to Einstein's coworker Lancelot Law Whyte.

Read more here.

Petar Zrinski
(1621-1671)

Croatian warrior and member of the Zrinski noble family.

Petar Zrinski was born in Vrbovec, a small town near Zagreb, and was the great-grandson of one of the greatest Croatian Ban, Nikola Šubić Zrinski who died in the tragic and heroic siege of Szigetvár, a town in the western Hungary where Turkish invasion force to Vienna had been stopped.

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Fran Krsto Frankopan
(1643-1671)

Croatian nobleman of the Frankopan family, a noted poet and politician in the 17th century.

Born in Bosiljevo, Croatia, twenty years younger than his brothers, Fran Krsto Frankopan was an authentic poet in his own right. He underwent various poetic influences, none of which was able to deafen his own inspiration. In such a vein was written his The Garden in which to Cheat Time, a personal account of the poet's experiences while in prison.

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Juraj Dobrila
(1812-1882)

Croatian bishop and benefactor from Istria.

Dobrila was born in a Croat family in the village of Veli Ježenj, Tinjanština region of middle Istria, which was then part of the Illyrian provinces and shortly thereafter the Habsburg monarchy (now in Croatia). His above-average intelligence let him engage a German elemetary school in Tinjan and Pazin and then a gymnasium in Gorizia and Karlovac where he also attended a seminary.

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Josip Jelačić Bužimski
(1801-1859)

Jelačić was Croatian "ban" and army general, remembered for his military campaigns during the Revolutions of 1848 and for his abolition of serfdom in Croatia.

Jelačić was born in Petrovaradin, at the time part of the Slavonian part of the Military Frontier of the Habsburg Monarchy, which is today's Vojvodina, Serbia. He was the son of Baron Franjo Jelačić Bužimski and Anna Portner von Höflein. He pursued a successful military career after schooling in the Vienna Theresianum, entering the Austrian army in 1819 as a novice with the rank of a lieutenant. He served in Galicia (1825-1830), and as a captain of a regiment in Italy (1831-1835). In 1841 he was promoted to a colonel and made the commander of the Glina captaincy in the Croatian-Slavonian Military Frontier, where he also fought against the Ottoman Turks (Ottoman Empire) in 1845.

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Ivan Gundulić
(1589-1638)

Most celebrated Croatian Baroque poet from the Republic of Ragusa. 

His work embodies central characteristics of Roman Catholic Counter-Reformation: religious fervor, insistence on "vanity of this world" and zeal in opposition to "infidels." Gundulić's major works—the epic poem Osman, the pastoral play Dubravka, and the religious poem "Tears of the Prodigal Son" (based on the Parable of the Prodigal Son) are examples of Baroque stylistic richness and, frequently, rhetorical excess.

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Ivan Mažuranić
(1814-1890)

Croatian poet, linguist and politician—probably the most important figure in Croatia's cultural life in the mid-19th century.

Mažuranić was born into a well-to-do yeoman family in a region found today in northern coastal Croatia. He became a man of many abilities: he spoke 9 languages and was well versed in astronomy and mathematics.

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Stjepan Radić
(1871-1928)

Croatian politician and the founder of the Croatian Peasant Party.

Radić is credited with galvanizing the peasantry of Croatia into a viable political force. Throughout his entire career, he was opposed to the union and, later, Serb hegemony in the first Yugoslavia and became an important political figure in that country. He was assassinated by a Serb politician in the parliament, an act which even further alienated the Croats and the Serbs.

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Marko Marulić
(1450-1524)

Croatian poet and Christian humanist.

Marulić was a nobleman born in Split, Dalmatia, coming from the distinguished aristocratic family of Pečenić. He completed humanist school in Split and then graduated in law at the Padua University, after which he spent much of his life in his beloved home town. In Split, Marulić practised law serving as a judge. The central figure of the humanist circle in Split, Marulić was inspired by the Bible, Antique writers and Christian hagiographies, and produced vast opus in Latin and Croatian languages. Marulić was active in the struggles against the Ottoman Turks who were invading the Croatian lands at that time. He wrote, among other works, an Epistola to the Pope where he begged for assistance in the fight against the Ottomans.

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Ante Starčević
(1823-1896)

Croatian politician and writer.

Starčević was born in Žitnik near Gospić, a small town not far from the Adriatic Sea, in the Austrian ruled Croatia. In 1845, he graduated from the comprehensive secondary school in Zagreb. He started his studies at the seminary in Senj, but moved to Pest in the year of 1845 in order to attend a Roman Catholic theological seminary - which he finished in 1848. After passing a number of philosophy and free sciences classes, he earned a honoris causa degree in the year of 1846. Starčević immediately returned to Croatia and continued studying theology in Senj. When he was supposed to become a priest, however, he decided to engage in secular pursuits and started working in the law firm of Ladislav Šram in Zagreb.

Read more here.

Keywords: paper money, Croatia, people on Croatian banknotes

During WWII Yugoslavian Royal government in London printed special series of six banknotes with intention to put them in circulation after the end of the war. Reestablishing of monarchy in Yugoslavia failed and special commission destroyed these banknotes after the war. Commission members took a small number and they survived until present day.

There exists 6 denominations of these banknotes: 5, 10, 25, 100, 500 and 1000 dinara, all dated 1943. All banknotes were printed in England by Thomas de la Rue company (5, 10 and 25 dinara) and Bradbury, Wilkinson and Co. (100, 500 and 1000 dinara).


5 dinara 1943, king Peter II / sheeps, specimen


5 dinara 1943,  king Peter II, obverse trial print


10 dinara 1943, king Peter II / field, specimen


10 dinara 1943, king Peter II, obverse trial print


25 dinara 1943, king Peter II / mausoleum (thomb?), specimen


25 dinara 1943, mausoleum (thomb?), reverse trial print


100 dinara 1943, king Peter II / factory, specimen


100 dinara 1943, king Peter II, obverse trial print


500 dinara 1943, king Peter II / landscape and factory, specimen


1000 dinara 1943, king Peter II / landscape, specimen

Images: "dinar" magazine, nr. 26, Darko Berger

Keywords: paper money, Kingdom of Yugoslavia, exile government, Peter II, London series, 1943

Cattaro, English siege. 5 Francs 1813.
Crowned N between 5 - F / / Crossed dagger, gun and canon in wreath. CNI 3; Pagani 292. 28.49 g. Rare. Extremely fine. Larger image.
Lot: 450
Estimate: 3000 CHF



Nicholas I, 1860-1910, as Prince. 100 Perpera 1910, Vienna.
Bare head right, below laurel branch / / Crowned arms. Mandic 10b; Schl. 1; Fr. 1. 33.94 g. Gold. Very rare. Only 300 pieces struck. Proof. Hairlines and tiny edgeknock, otherwise, almost uncirculated. Larger image.
Lot: 451
Estimate: 17500 CHF



Nicholas I, 1910-1918, as King. 100 Perpera 1910, Vienna.
On the 50th anniversary of both his reign and marriage. Laureate head left / / Crowned arms. Mandic 20a; Schl. 4; Fr. 4. 33.95 g. Gold. Very rare. Only 500 pieces struck. Prooflike. Tiny scratches and tiny edgeknock, otherwise, almost uncirculated. Larger image.
Lot: 452
Estimate: 17500 CHF



5 Perpera 1914, Vienna.
Mandic 17.2a; K./M. 15. Good extremely fine. Larger image.
Lot: 453
Estimate: 500 CHF

Source and images: Hess Divo auction

Keywords: coins, Montenegro, Cattaro, Hess Divo, auction

1000 kuna 2007 - Andrija Mohorovičić



composition: .986 gold (Au); weight: 7 g. (0,22191 oz AGW); 
diameter: 22 mm; edge: plain; alignment: medal (↑↑);

Author: Stjepan Divković
Mint: Croatian Monetary Institute
Mintage: 2.000 pcs.


150 kuna 2007 - Benedikt Kotruljević



composition: .925 silver (Ag); weight: 24 g. (0,71376 oz ASW); 
diameter: 37 mm; edge: plain; alignment: medal (↑↑);

Author: Damir Mataušić
Mint: Croatian Monetary Institute
Mintage: 10.000 pcs.


150 kuna 2007 - Old Croatian ships – "Karaka" from Dubrovnik (Ragusa)



composition: .925 silver (Ag); weight: 24 g. (0,71376 oz ASW); 
diameter: 37 mm; edge: plain; alignment: medal (↑↑);

Author: Damir Mataušić (obv.) and Matej Pašalić (rev.)
Mint: Croatian Monetary Institute
Mintage: 10.000 pcs.

Source: Narodne novine
Images: Ivan Madunić

Keywords: coins, Croatia, 1000 kunas, 150 kunas, 2007, gold, silver, new issues

New issue of Croatian coin catalog is momentary in preparation. This new catalog will be issued under title: Croatian coins 1849-2008. Book's languages are: Croatian, English and German.

Besides current Croatian coins, this issue will include coins of Triune Kingdom of Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia (famous "križar" coin), coins of Independent State of Croatia (regular issue(s) and large number of trial-strikes). Current coins section (Republic of Croatia) will be expanded with information about new issues and trial-strikes, newly discovered varieties and errors.

More information you can find here. 

Your questions and reservations you can send to: zviscevic@pravri.hr

13080th Bowers and Merena auction offers trial strikes of Yugoslavian coins

Lot # 5920


Yugoslavia. Alexander I (1921-34). Silver, Bronze, Brass and Aluminum Pattern 2 Dinara. 1925.
Current Bid: $600.00 (amount with BP: $690.00)
Description: Plain edge. As the issued coin. (KM-Pn12 vars.). The silver piece is AU, lightly cleaned; the others are Unc. (4 pcs).
Estimate $800 - $1,000
From the Carl F. Chirico Jr. Collection of World Pattern Coins.

Larger images you can see here.
Link to auction.

Lot # 5921
Nema slike.
Yugoslavia. Petar II (1934-45). Copper-Nickel Pattern 2 and 1 Dinar. 1938.
Current Bid: $150.00 (amount with BP: $173.00)
Description: Plain edges. As the issued coins. (KM-20 var. and 19 var.). Both are nice Unc. (2 pcs).
Estimate $200 - $250
From the Carl F. Chirico Jr. Collection of World Pattern Coins.

Link to auction.

Source: Bowers and Merena Auctions

Keywords: coins, Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, Yugoslavia, trial stikes, auction

13080th Bowers and Merena auction offers rare trial strikes of Independent State of Croatia (1941-1945) coins.

Lot # 5210


Croatia. Puppet State (1941-45). 1941 Silver 4-piece Pattern Set.
Current Bid: $600.00 (amount with BP: $690.00)
Description: Consists of: 2 and 1 Kuna; 50 and 25 Banica struck in silver. Plain edges. Various country-style themes. (KM-Pn26 var., Pn21 var., Pn15 var. and Pn11 var.). All are light grayish toned AU. (4 pcs).
Estimate $800 - $1,000
From the Carl F. Chirico Jr. Collection of World Pattern Coins.

Larger images you can see here.
Link to auction.

Lot # 5412


Croatia. Puppet State (1941-45). Brass Pattern 500 Kuna. 1941.
Current Bid: $240.00 (amount with BP: $276.00)
Description: Plain edge. Obv: female figure kneeling. Rev: value over shield. (KM-Pn30 var.). Unc.
Estimate $300 - $400
From the Carl F. Chirico Jr. Collection of World Pattern Coins.

Larger images you can see here.
Link to auction.

Lot # 5413


Croatia. Puppet State (1941-45). Gold 500 Kuna. 1941.
Current Bid: $1,500.00 (amount with BP: $1,725.00)
Description: Obv: female figure kneeling. Rev: value over shield. (Fr-2, KM-B3). AU. Scarce.
Estimate $2,000 - $2,500
From the Carl F. Chirico Jr. Collection of World Pattern Coins.

Larger images you can see here.
Link to auction.

Source: Bowers and Merena Auctions

Keywords: numismatics, coins, Independent State of Croatia, trial stikes, auction

Obverse and reverse same as by regular coin dated 1955. Composition: Al; diameter: 29,5 mm; weight: 2,3 g.

Offered on 9th SND auction (start price: 250 EUR,  item nr. 109).

Source and image: SND auction

Keywords: coins, Yugoslavia, 20 dinars, 1953, trial strike

One of the most interesting parts of ex-Yugoslavian numismatics is unissues series of coins dated 1978. This series was never realized, but trial strikes of these coins found their way to the numismatic market. There exists trial stikes of following denominations: 25 para, 50 para, 1 dinar, 2 dinara, 5 dinara and 10 dinara.

At some of these coins appears two different varieties of obverse: (1) with circle made of dots between coat of arms and inscription and (2) inscription and coat of arms in square (this design is used for obverse of 1988/1989 series).

25 para

1.1 - obv.: (1); comp.: Cu-Ni; diameter: 18 mm; weight: 2,9 g


1.2a - obv.: (2); comp.: Cu-Ni; diameter: 18 mm; weight: 3 g
1.2b - obv.: (2); comp.: Al; diameter: 18 mm; weight: 0,9 g
1.2c - obv.: (2); comp.: brass; diameter: 15,7 mm; weight: 1,7 g
1.2d - obv.: (2); comp.: brass; diameter: 16,7 mm; weight: 2 g
1.2e - obv.: (2); comp.: brass; diameter: 17,7 mm; weight: 2,5 g

50 para

2.1a - obv.: (1); comp.: Cu-Ni; diameter: 20 mm; weight: 2,8 g
2.1b - obv.: (1); comp.: brass; diameter: 18 mm; weight: 2,5 g
2.1c - obv.: (1); comp.: brass; diameter: 19,7 mm; weight: 2,9 g

1 dinar

3.1a - obv.: (1); comp.: Cu-Ni; diameter: 22 mm; weight: 4,7 g
3.1b - obv.: (1); comp.: Cu-Ni; diameter: 22 mm; weight: 3,7 g
3.1c - obv.: (1); comp.: brass; diameter: 22 mm; weight: 3,9 g

2 dinara

4.1a - obv.: (1); comp.: Cu-Ni; diameter: 23,7 mm; weight: 5,9 g
4.1b - obv.: (1); comp.: Cu-Ni; diameter: 23,7 mm; weight: 4,7 g
4.1c - obv.: (1); comp.: brass; diameter: 23,7 mm; weight: 4,6 g

5 dinara

5.1 - obv.: (1); comp.: Cu-Ni; diameter: 25,7 mm; weight: 6,9 g


5.2a - obv.: (1); comp.: Cu-Ni; diameter: 25,8 mm; weight: 6,1 g
5.2b - obv.: (1); comp.: Cu-Ni; diameter: 24 mm; weight: 5,3 g

10 dinara

6.1 - obv.: (1); comp.: Cu-Ni; diameter: 28 mm; weight: 8 g

Sources: Mandić, Ranko, Coins of Serbia, Montenegro and Yugoslavia, 4th ed., SND, Belgrade, 2006, eBay.com, Auction SND
Images: eBay.com, Auction SND

Keywords: coins, Yugoslavia, trial strike, issue, 1978

Croatia, 5 kuna 1994, easier coin is in one collection from Zagreb. Weight of thic coin is lower for 2,25 grams according to normal coins. This coin has 5,20 grams and normal 5 kuna coins have 7,45 grams. This coin also have a bit different color, so it's possible that has different composition according to normal coins.

Source and image: K.J., Zagreb

Keywords: coins, Croatia, 5 kuna, 1994, weight, easier coin