| Last additions - EUROPE: Miscellaneous Medieval & Early Modern |
Bohemia. Wladislaw II (1471-1516)Fiala/Donebauer 962, Saurma 410/VI 185
AR Weißpfennig; Kuttenberg mint, struck 1490-1516; .43 g., 14.33 mm. max.
Obv.: W[LAD]ISLAVS SECVNDVS, Bohemian lion rampant, facing left.
Rev.: blank (uniface)
Called Weißpfennig/Bílý Peníz, as opposed to the smaller denomination heller, which was called Schwarzpfennig, due to their lack of silver. StkpSep 25, 2021
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Spanish States: Kingdom of Mallorca, Sancho I, the Peaceful (1311-1324)Cru 547, Burgos 1388
Billon dobler (= 2 denars); 1/64 g., 21.04 mm. max., 90°
Obv.: + REX ⁑ MAIORICAR’, crowned bust facing, between two stars
Rev.: + •SACIVS -- DEI ⁑ GRA ⁕, crossStkpSep 24, 2021
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Republic of Ragusa (now, Dubrovnik, Croatia)Viščević --; Rešetar --; Mimica --
AR dinar (= grosso or groš). Viščević Group I, struck 1337-1438, unlisted Type (updating Rešetar [Rešetar unlisted Type]). Group struck with approximate weight between 1.100-1.841 g. (varying by year/type, but generally decreasing) with a fineness of .916 AR and an approximate size between 19-21 mm. (varying by year/type); 1.12 g., 19.04 mm. max., 180°
Obv.: S • BLASIV – S • R • AGVSII • (no cross-bars in letters A), nimbate (milled aureole) St. Blasé with forked beard, raising right hand in benediction and holding bishop's crozier (knotted crozier with knotted crook) in left hand.
Rev.: Nimbate (milled aureole with smooth rays) bust of Jesus, raising right hand in benediction and holding book in left hand, IE – XE (with central bar in letters E) (= Jesus Christ) across field.
The dinar was minted following the edict issued by the Great Council in 1337 and continued until 1621. The weight standard (1 dinar = 30 folari) was based on the Venetian standard, and the depiction of Jesus on the reverse is borrowed from the Venetian golden ducat. The depiction of St. Blase on the obverse is patterned on the portrayal by Ancona of its patron saint on its coins.
The devices on this coin do not match any of the 16 types of Group I coins (without marks) listed by Viščevic/Rešetar. The legend is unlisted in Viščevic/Rešetar for Group I. Given the generally diminishing weights of the types, this coin was probably struck in or after 1372.StkpDec 15, 2019
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Republic of Ragusa (now, Dubrovnik, Croatia)Viščević 5.700; Rešetar 1425; Mimica –
AR dinar (= grosso or groš). Viščević Group III Type 50 Variety 4, struck 1594-1613 (updating Rešetar [Rešetar Type 46]). Type struck with approximate weight of .64 g. (.52 g. to .78 g. range) with a fineness of .916 AR and an approximate size of 18 mm.; .56 g., 17.13 mm. max., 180°
Obv.: S BLASIVS – RAGVSI – I (cross-bars in letters A), nimbate (milled aureole) St. Blasé, raising right hand in benediction and holding bishop's crozier (knotted crozier with knotted crook) and city gates with three towers on chest, R in left field.
Rev.: Nimbate (smooth aureole with smooth rays) bust of Jesus, raising right hand in benediction and holding gospel book (without dots) in left hand, head of St. Blasé on chest, IE - XE (= Jesus Christ) across field.
The dinar was minted following the edict issued by the Great Council in 1337 and continued until 1621. The weight standard (1 dinar = 30 folari) was based on the Venetian standard, and the depiction of Jesus on the obverse is borrowed from the Venetian golden ducat. The depiction of St. Blase on the reverse is patterned on the portrayal by Ancona of its patron saint on its coins. The designation of obverse and reverse is per Dimnik & Dobrinić, who note that most references designate the sides in opposite manner.StkpDec 15, 2019
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Republic of Ragusa (now, Dubrovnik, Croatia)Viščević 5.711; Rešetar 1442; Mimica --
AR dinar (= grosso or groš). Viščević Group III Type 51, struck 1617-1621 (updating Rešetar [Rešetar Type 47]). Type struck with approximate weight of .64 g. (.54 g. to .73 g. range) with a fineness of .800 AR and an approximate size of 17 mm.; .68 g., 17.34 mm. max., 270°
Obv.: S • BLASIVS -- RACVSI • (no cross-bars in letters A), nimbate (smooth aureole) St. Blasé, raising right hand in benediction and holding bishop's crozier (smooth crozier with knotted crook) and city in left hand, R in left field.
Rev.: Nimbate (smooth aureole with smooth rays) bust of Jesus (with long hair), raising right hand in benediction and holding globe in left hand, IE - XP (= Jesus Christ) across field.
The dinar was minted following the edict issued by the Great Council in 1337 and continued until 1621. The weight standard (1 dinar = 30 folari) was based on the Venetian standard, and the depiction of Jesus on the reverse is borrowed from the Venetian golden ducat. The depiction of St. Blase on the obverse is patterned on the portrayal by Ancona of its patron saint on its coins. StkpDec 15, 2019
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Italian States: Ancona. RepublicBiaggi 34; CNI v. VIII, pp. 3-4, nos. 19-31, plate I/4-5
AR Grosso, struck ca. 13th-14th Century; 2.19 g., 21.77 mm. max.; 270°
Obv: + (star) DE ANCONA (star), cross pattée.
Rev: °• PP • S • QVI (star) – (trefoil) RI ACVS • (rosette) °, St. Judas Cyriacus (Quiriacus) standing facing, holding crozier and raising hand in benediction.
The reverse legend refers to Saint Judas Cyriacus (Quiriacus), patron Saint of Ancona. Local tradition claims that Cyriacus/Quiriacus was a Jew of Jerusalem who had a fateful meeting with the Roman empress Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, around 327 A.D. Helena was on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem when she encountered Cyriacus, who revealed to her the location of the True Cross upon which Christ was crucified. After guiding the empress to the holy relic, Cyriacus converted to Christianity and became Bishop of Jerusalem, only to suffer martyrdom years later under Julian the Apostate. The city of Ancona is said to have received his relics, minus his head, under empress Galla Placidia, around the middle of the fifth Century (his head is in the town of Provins, France, where it was brought from Jerusalem during the crusades). He has been the city’s patron Saint ever since.
During this period Ancona was an oligarchic republic, ruled by six elected Elders. In 1348, after the city was weakened by the black death and a fire, the Malatesta family took control.StkpNov 10, 2019
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Bulgaria, Second Empire, Vidin Kingdom. Ivan Stratsimir (1356-1396)Dimnik & Dobrinić 11/10.1.3; Raduchev & Zhekov 1.14.6; cf. Youroukova & Penchev 107; Ljubić III, 2; cf. Moushmov 7542.
AR Groši/grosh (described in older references as a half groši/grosh); Third Chronological Group, variant B; Vidin mint; struck circa 1380-1385; .74 g., 17.52 mm. max., 0°
Obv.: Nimbate bust of Christ with cross within halo, raising right hand in benediction and holding Gospel book in left hand, IC - XC (= Jesus Christ) across field, all within beaded circle, abbreviated legend +IW СRАЦИМИР ЦРББ (= Ivan Stratsimir Tsar of the Bulgars).
Rev.: Nimbate Ivan Stratsimir wearing domed crown seated facing, holding scepter decorated with a lily forming a trefoil (with the lily depicted in heraldic manner; i.e., the central petal stands upright but the side petals bend downward) in his right hand and an akakia in his left, axe between his feet, abbreviated legend +IW СRАЦИМИР ЦРББ (= Ivan Stratsimir Tsar of the Bulgars).
Ivan Alexander divided his kingdom between his two sons. Ivan Stratsimir received Vidin. In 1365, the Hungarian King Louis I of Anjou captured Vidin. Sratsimir and his family were held captive in Croatia for four years but in 1369 Sratsimir was restored to his throne under Hungarian overlordship. After the Ottoman invasion in 1388, he was forced to acknowledge Ottoman overlordship and garrisons. In 1396 Sratsimir and his subjects aligned themselves with the anti-Ottoman Crusade led by the Hungarian king Sigismund of Luxemburg. The crusade ended in disaster at the battle of Nikopol on September 25, 1396. By the end of 1397 Sultan Bayezid I approached Vidin and, assured by the promise of his safety, Ivan Stratsimir came out to meet him. On the order of Bayezid I, Ivan Stratsimir was arrested and conveyed to Bursa, while the Sultan confiscated the contents of the Vidin treasury. Sratsimir's fate is unknown. Vidin was likely annexed by the Ottoman Empire in 1397, but at least part of the realm remained under the control of Sratsimir's son and heir Constantine II.
StkpNov 15, 2018
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Bulgaria, Second Empire. Ivan Aleksandar (1331-1371) and Mihail Ansen IV (1331-1355)Dimnik & Dobrinić 11/9.1.2; Raduchev & Zhekov Type I, 1.13.3-6; Youroukova & Penchev 74-80; Ljubić I, 6 (as Peter Asen)
AR Groši/grosh, Type II. struck circa 1331-1355; 1.32 g., 20.11 mm. max., 0°
Obv.: Christ standing facing before throne, raising hands in benediction, IC - XC (= Jesus Christ) and monograms (standing for Aleksandar and Tsar) across field.
Rev.: Ivan Aleksandar and his son Mihail Asen IV standing facing, each holding cross-tipped scepter, holding between them a long staff with a tripod-like base and a banner; monograms across inner fields above (standing for Aleksandar and Tsar) and outer fields below (for Pious and Mihail); stars flanking base of staff.StkpJan 15, 2018
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German States: Margraviate of Brandenburg. Frederick II (1440-1470)Barhfeldt 16 (Frankfurt), Tewes (1998) H 53, Saurma-Jeltsch 4821, Plate LXXXIV 2540 (Frankfurt)
AR hohlpfennig (bracteate), struck 1463-1470 in Berlin: .30 g., 16.17 mm. max.
Obv: Helmet with four feathers facing right, helmet cover behind, in a circle of rays.
Rev: Incuse
According to Tewes (2009), Frankfurt and Berlin concurrently struck bracteate hohlpfennig with the helmet. Those struck at Frankfurt did not have mint-master marks, such as the helmet cover. This coin is a variety with fewer than the usual six feathers.StkpDec 31, 2017
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Holy Roman Empire; Duchy of Brunswick-LüneburgMader 9 ff.
AR hohlpfennig (bracteate); Stendal mint; .30 gr., 15.65 mm. max.
Obv: Half eagle facing left, four prllets to right, surrounded by rays.
Rev.: Incuse.
Ref: Herbert Mader, Die Münzen der Stadt Lüneburg, 1293-1777. Bremen 2012.StkpJul 08, 2017
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Holy Roman Empire; Margravate of Brandenburg, Friedrich II (1440-1470)Bahrfeldt 19
AR hohlpfennig (bracteate); Stendal mint; .31 gr., 16.36 mm. max.
Obv: Half eagle facing left, four prllets to right, surrounded by rays.
Rev.: Incuse.StkpJun 19, 2017
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Hungary (Habsburg): Matthias II (King of Hungary 1608-1619; Holy Roman Emperor 1612-1619)Huszár 1140, Unger 869, KM 32 [?]; dated 1612
Billon denar, Kremnitz/Körmöcbánya (now Kremnica, Slovakia) mint, .58 g., 14.31 mm. max., 180°
Obv: MAT • II • D • G • [HV • BO • ]REX • 1612 • (= Matthias II Dei Gratia/By the grace of God Rex/King of Hungary and Bohemia), two-part shield with Árpádian stripes and patriarchal cross emerging from crown on three hills, K-B (=Kremnitz-Bergstadt/Körmöcz-Bánya) flanking, over-struck with partial legend MAT • II • D • ... starting at 5:00.
Rev: PATRONA HVNGARI •, Madonna without rays, child to her left.
Huszár rarity R6.StkpApr 07, 2017
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Hungary (Habsburg): Rudolph (King of Hungary 1572-1608; Holy Roman Emperor 1576-1612)Huszár 1059; Unger 811a, dated 1579.
Billon denar, Kremnitz/Körmöcbánya (now Kremnica, Slovakia) mint, .54 g., 15.24 mm. max., 0°.
Obv: • RVD • II • RO • I • S • AV • G • H • B • R (=Rudolphus II. Romanorum Imperator Semper Augustus Germania, Ungariae, Bohemia Rex/ Rudolph II, Emperor of the Romans, always august, King of Germany, Hungary, Bohemia), four-part shield with Árpádian stripes, patriarchal cross, Dalmatian leopard heads and Bohemian lion, Austrian device in central escutcheon.
Rev: PATR * 1579 * HVNG, Madonna, child to her left, K-B (=Kremnitz-Bergstadt/Körmöcz-Bánya) flanking.
Huszár rarity R2.StkpFeb 28, 2017
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Hungary (Habsburg): Ferdinand I/Ferdinánd I (King of Hungary 1526-1564; Holy Roman Emperor 1558-1564)Huszár 936; Unger 748a, dated 1563.
Billon denar, Kremnitz/Körmöcbánya (now Kremnica, Slovakia) mint, .40 g., 15.46 mm. max., 0°.
Obv: • FER • D • G • E • R • O • I • S • AV • GE • HV • B • R (=Ferdinand Dei Gratia Electus Romanorum Imperator Semper Augustus Germania, Ungariae, Bohemia Rex/ Ferdinand, by the grace of God, elected Emperor of the Romans, always august, King of Germany, Hungary, Bohemia), four-part shield with Árpádian stripes, patriarchal cross, Dalmatian leopard heads and Bohemian lion, Austrian device in central escutcheon.
Rev: PATRONA • * • VNGARIE, Madonna, child to her left, K-B (=Kremnitz-Bergstadt/Körmöcz-Bánya) flanking.
Huszár rarity R2.StkpFeb 28, 2017
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Hungary: Malcontents/Ferenc Rákóczi II (1703-1711)Huszár 1535a; Unger 1135a, KM 264.1, dated 1705.
AE X Poltura, Kremnitz/Körmöcbánya (now Kremnica, Slovakia) mint, .7.05 g., 31.27 mm. max., 0°
Obv: Crowned arms (Árpádian stripes, patriarchal cross rising from crown on hills), 17-05 flanking.
Rev: PRO LIBERTATE, X within wreath below.
Struck on a roller die.
Huszár rarity R2.StkpJan 06, 2017
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England. Plantagenet. Edward I (1272-1307) North 1039/1; Spink 1409B
AR penny, new coinage (struck post 1279), Fox System class 10ab1b (1301), Canterbury mint. 1.42 g.18.92 mm. max., 0°.
Obv: + (cross patteé) + EDWAR ANGL DNS hYB (=EDWARDVS REX ANGLIE DOMINVS HYBERNIE = Edward, King of England, Lord of Ireland) (round E; unbarred As; normal barred Ns; non-composite S; no contractive marks), Crowned facing bust (crown with straight bifoliate side-fleurs).
Rev: CIVI-TAS-CAN-TOR (rounded Cs; unbarred As; non-composite S; normal barred N), Long cross; trefoil of three pellets in each quarter.StkpDec 17, 2016
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Frankish Greece. Princes of Achaea (Glarentza and Corinth mints), William II of Villehardouin (1246-1278)Roberts 5302, Malloy 8a or 10a
Billon denier tournois. .53 g., 17.35 mm. max. 0â—¦.
Obv: + • G PRINCEPS •, cross patee.
Rev: + CLARENCIA, Crusader-style castle tournois, spire surmounted by cross.StkpNov 28, 2016
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Spain: Catalonia. Alfonso I/Alfons II (the Chaste, or the Troubador (King of Aragon and Count of Barcelona 1192-1196)cf. Burgos 850; cf. Crusafont 135
AR dinero, Barcelona mint. 1.11 gr., 18.83 mm. max., 0°
Obv: : BARQVINO, cross between annulets.
Rev: CI - VI - RE - â—¦X â—¦, long cross. StkpSep 21, 2016
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Spain: Catalonia. Jaime/Jaume I (the Conqueror) (King of Aragon and Count of Barcelona 1213-1276)cf. Burgos 855; cf. Crusafont 155; cf. ME 1710
AR dinero, Barcelona mint. .86 gr., 17.55 mm. max., 0°
Obv: + BARQVInOnA, crowned bust left.
Rev: IA-CO-B R-EX, long cross with annulets and pellets in quarters. StkpSep 21, 2016
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Silesia, Schweidnitz (anonymous civic issue) under Kingdom of Bohemia.Kopicki 8697, Saurma 212/95, Friedensburg 704.
AR bracteate heller, ca. 1430; .13 gr., 13.59 mm. max.
Obv. Boar's head with long tusks facing right, within circular border.
Schweidnitz became a town in 1250, and was then part of the Duchy of Breslau (now Wrocław). From 1291-1392 it was the capital of the Duchy of Schweidnitz under Polish Piast dukes. It was then incorporated into the Kingdom of Bohemia, where it remained until 1526, when Silesia came under the rule of the Habsburg Monarchy. It was annexed by Prussia during the First Silesian War (1740-42), eventually becoming part of Germany. After World War II most of Silesia became part of Poland, and the city was officially renamed Świdnica.StkpAug 22, 2016
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Switzerland, Basel-Stadt (civic).Coraggioni pl. XXVII, B29; HMZ, Schweiz 2-57a.
AR bracteate stebler, fifteenth century, .27 gr., 15,08 mm. max.
Obv: Civic coat of arms (Basel staff or Bishop's crozier) within circular and pelleted border.StkpAug 11, 2016
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Wallachia, Radu I (ca. 1377- ca. 1383) MBR 78a.
AE bani (half denier), Type III, .96 g., 13.67 mm. max.
Obv: + IW[P]DIVAD, sunburst.
Rev: Cross with stars in each angle.
Great-grandfather of Vlad III The Impaler (Dracula).StkpNov 22, 2015
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Hungary (Habsburg): Maximilian/Miksa II (King of Hungary 1563-1576; Holy Roman Emperor 1564-1576)Huszár 992; Unger 766a, dated 1570.
Billon denar, Kremnitz/Körmöcbánya (now Kremnica, Slovakia) mint, .57 g., 15.89 mm. max., 180°
Obv: MAX • II • D • G • E • RO • I • S • AV • G • HV • B • R • (=Maximilian II Dei Gratia Electus Romanorum Imperator Semper Augustus Germaniae, Hungariae, Bohemiae Rex/ Maximilian II the Always Glorious Roman Emperor, King of Germany, Hungary, and Bohemia by God's Grace), four-part shield with Árpádian stripes, patriarchal cross, Dalmatian leopard heads and Bohemian lion, Austrian device in central escutcheon, 1570 above.
Rev: PATRONA * • VNGARIE, Madonna, child to her left, K-B (=Kremnitz-Bergstadt/Körmöcz-Bánya) flanking.
Huszár rarity R2.StkpNov 09, 2015
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Hungary (Habsburg): Ferdinand I/Ferdinánd I (King of Hungary 1526-1564; Holy Roman Emperor 1558-1564)Huszár 935; Unger 745a, dated 1555.
Billon denar, Kremnitz/Körmöcbánya (now Kremnica, Slovakia) mint, .48 g., 15.48 mm. max., 0°
Obv: • FERDINAND • D • G • R • VNG • 1555 (=Ferdinand Dei Gratia Rex Ungariae/ Ferdinand, King Hungary by the Grace of God), four-part shield with Árpádian stripes, patriarchal cross, Dalmatian leopard heads and Bohemian lion, Austrian device in central escutcheon.
Rev: PATRONA • * • VNGARIE, Madonna, child to her left, K-B (=Kremnitz-Bergstadt/Körmöcz-Bánya) flanking.
Huszár rarity R2.StkpNov 09, 2015
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Hungary (Habsburg): Maximilian/Miksa II (King of Hungary 1563-1576; Holy Roman Emperor 1564-1576)Huszár 993; Unger 767a, dated 1576.
Billon denar, Kremnitz/Körmöcbánya (now Kremnica, Slovakia) mint, .44 g., 16.20 mm. max., 0°
Obv: MAX • II • RO • I • S • AV • GE • HV • BO • R • (=Maximilian II, Romanorum Imperator Semper August/Emperor of the Romans Ever August, Rex/King of Germany, Hungary and Bohemia), four-part shield with Árpádian stripes, patriarchal cross, Dalmatian leopard heads and Bohemian lion, Austrian device in central escutcheon, 1576 above.
Rev: PATRONA * • VNGARIE, Madonna, child to her left, K-B (=Kremnitz-Bergstadt/Körmöcz-Bánya) flanking.
Huszár rarity R2.StkpOct 19, 2015
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Italian States: Ancona. RepublicBiaggi 33; CNI v. VIII p. 2, 6, cf. plate I/2-3
Billon denaro, struck ca. 1250-1348. 0.48 g., 15.08 mm. max.; 0°
Obv.: + • PP • S • QVI • RI • A •, VCS around central pellet
Rev.: DE ANCONA, cross pattée.
During this period Ancona was an oligarchic republic, ruled by six elected Elders. In 1348, after the city was weakened by the black death and a fire, the Malatesta family took control.
The obverse legend refers to Saint Judas Cyriacus (Quiriacus), patron Saint of Ancona.StkpJul 28, 2015
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Hungary (Habsburg): Matthias II (King of Hungary 1608-1619; Holy Roman Emperor 1612-1619Huszár 1141, Unger 870, KM 40.1; dated 1614
Billon denar, Kremnitz/Körmöcbánya (now Kremnica, Slovakia) mint, .59 g., 14.26 mm. max., 180°
Obv: MAT (=Mathias) • D • G (=Dei Gratia/By the grace of God) • RO • I • S • AV (Romanorum Imperator Semper August/Emperor of the Romans Ever August) • GE (=Germany) • HV (=Hungary) • B (=Bohemia) • R (=Rex/King), two-part shield with Árpádian stripes and patriarchal cross emerging from crown on three hills, K-B (=Kremnitz-Bergstadt/Körmöcz-Bánya) flanking.
Rev: PATRO • HVNGA • 1614 •, Madonna without rays, child to her left.
Huszár rarity R6.StkpMay 09, 2015
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Crusader States. Lusignan Kingdom of Cyprus. Janus I (1398-1432). Lampros 67, CCS 119a
BI denier, 0.55 g, 13.83 mm max, 90°
Obv.: + IAnUS ROI D, lion rampant left
Rev.: + IЄRV3ALEM, cross pattéeStkpApr 25, 2015
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Crusader States. Neapolitan Princes of Epirus and Corfu. Philip of Taranto (1294-1313)BI Denier Tournois, Lepanto (Nafpakos, Greece) mint, struck 1294-1307. .77 g. 18.65 mm. max. 0°
Metcalf cf. DR1, Maloy cf. 111a
Obv.: + (lis) Ph'S • P • TAR DESP • (=Philippus princeps Traranti, despatus), cross pattée
Rev.: + (I) NEPANTI CIVIS, castle tournois
Philip received Lepanto in 1294 as a dowry from his wife Thamar. This legend was used before Philip assumed the title Princeps Achiai, c. 1307.
StkpApr 09, 2015
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England. Plantagenet. Henry III (1216-1272)North 988; Spink 1364
AR penny, voided long cross coinage, Lawrence System class 3c (struck 1248-1250), refined by Churchill and Thompson as class 3d1 (struck 1250) Type L446, London mint, by moneyer Nicholas of St. Albans. 1.38 g., 18.35 mm. max., 0°.
Obv: Initial mark: [Six-pointed star with rounded or angular points (MM4)], hENRICVS REX : III apostrophe (NR ligated; wedge-footed R [R1]; pellet in S), Crowned facing bust with pointed chin, pellets above lower hair curls (PL4), beard of pellets, no scepter.
Rev: NIC-OLE ON L-VND (ON and ND ligated, pellets on Ns in third and fourth quadrants), voided long cross with trefoil of pellets in each angle, eight pellets per quadrant in inner circle.
Note: There were 711 class 3d1 coins issued by Nicholas of St. Albans from the London mint in the Brussels Hoard, spread between 11 Churchill and Thompson types. Type L446 coins were the most common type, represented by 520 coins.StkpApr 07, 2015
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Italian States: Ravenna. ArchbishopricBiaggi 1966; MIR 1251; CNI v.X p. 683, 8, plate XLIII/23
AR denaro, struck after 1232 and before 1440. 0.48 g., 15.29 mm. max.; 90°
Obv.: + ARCHEPISCO, VPS around central pellet.
Rev.: DE RAVENA, cross pattée; trefoil in second and third quarters.StkpApr 03, 2015
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Italian States. LuccaCf. CNI XI 7, Biaggi 1056, Metcalf Crusades 10-5
AR denaro, .76 g, 16 mm. max., 90°, struck 1039-1125 in the names of the Holy Roman Emperors, Heinrich III-V
Obv: + INPERATOR, around H formed with two Ts joined by central crossbar
Rev.: + ENRICVS, around LV / CA.
These Lucca-style denaros were very popular with the Crusaders of the First Crusade, and are commonly found in hoards in the Levant. It is thought that many of those found in the Levant were struck there by the Crusaders in imitation of the official Lucca issues.
StkpJan 12, 2015
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Baltic States. Livonian Order. Landmaster Bernd von der Borch (1471-1483)Davenport 11A, Saurma 5134/2695
AR Artiger, Tallinn mint, .48 g., 13.65 mm. max, 180°
Obv: MO-nE-TA-o *, long cross
Rev: REVALIE * o *, Order's arms
StkpNov 29, 2014
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Baltic States. Bishopric of Dorpat. Bartholomäus Savijerwe (1441-1449)Davenport 164, Saurma 5227/2737, Federov 16
AR Artiger, Tartu mint, .41 g., 14.22 mm. max, 0°
Obv: BARTO EPVS, bear's paw
Rev: • MOnETA DAR, Bishop's arms (crossed key and sword)StkpNov 29, 2014
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Baltic States. Bishopric of Dorpat. Johannes III Bertkow (1473-1484)Davenport 169, Saurma 5229/2739, Federov 21
AR Artiger, Tartu mint, .37 g., 14.07 mm. max, 0°
Obv: o IOhAnnES o EP, stag's antlers
Rev: o mOnETA o TARP, Bishop's arms (crossed key and sword)StkpNov 29, 2014
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Baltic States. Bishopric of Dorpat. Johannes VIII Bey von Gellinghausen (1528-1543)Davenport 189, Saurma 5233/2743, Federov 55
AR Schilling, Tartu mint, 1.07 g., 19.34 mm. max, 270°
Obv: + DOMI • IAHA • EL • TAR, family arms
Rev: • MONETA • NOVA • TA, Bishop's arms ( crossed key and sword)StkpNov 29, 2014
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Baltic States. Free City of RigaDavenport 304, Saurma 5839/3015, Federov 603
Billon Schilling (.094 fineness), dated 1570, .92 g., 17.07 mm. max, 0°
Obv: + CIVITATIS : RIGENSIS, large coat of arms (stone portal with 2 flagged towers, 2 crossed keys above with small cross on top, head of lion in the gates)
Rev: • MONETA • NO • ARGEN, 7-0 divided by Bishop's arms (crossed keys with small cross above)StkpNov 29, 2014
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Bohemia. Wladislaus II (1471-1516)Bohemia. Wladislaus II (1471-1516)
Castelin __, Fiala/Donebauer 947, cf. Saurma 407/182
AR pragergroschen, 32 mm., Kutná Hora mint.
Obv: + DEI x/x GRATIA + REX x/x BOEmIE / + WLADISLAUS SECVnDVS, crown in center.
Rev: + * GROSSI * PRAGENSIS, crown double-tailed lion facing left.
The groschen of Prague (pragergroschen) were first minted in July 1300 during the reign of Wenceslas II (1278-1305), following the discovery of exceptionally rich silver deposits at Kutná Hora in 1298. It was struck, with the design essentials unchanged for roughly 250 years. The pragergroschen played the same role in central Europe that was played by the denier tournois further west. Its preeminence in Germany postponed the appearance of native groschen over much of the region for over 150 years.
The coinage was debased under Wencelsas IV (1378-1419), and none were minted during the reigns of Sigismund (1420-37), Albert (1437-39) and Ladislas Postumus (1453-57). When minting was revived toward the end of the reign of George Podĕbrad (1458-71), they were struck to a much lower standard, having a fineness of only 10 lot (625/1000) and a silver content of 1.69 gr., which was barely half that of the original pragergoschen of Wenceslas II. It was then reckoned 24 instead of 12 to the ducat, and fell further when it was debased (to a weight of around 1.25 gr.) toward the end of the reign of Wladislaus II. StkpMay 29, 2014
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German States. Schwäbisch Hall (Württemberg).Saurma 1365/608, Raff 13, DeWitt 2491, Torongo 1.5.
AR handheller, minted ca. 1250-1356, 16-17 mm.
Obv: Open right hand.
Rev: Cross forchée with a pellet at the end of each arm.
Since they were struck in 1189 at Hall in Swabia, these coins became known as "hellers" (or as handhellers, due to the devise on the obverse). They were struck in large quantities but of a poor quality, and circulated widely, quickly droving all other small coins out of circulation. The name "heller" became associated with coins of the same type struck in other cities, and by extension, to coins of low grade billon throughout Germany. Until an imperial edict of 1356 required mintmarks, the issuing city of any given coin cannot be determined. The lack of a mintmark on this coin indicates that it was struck before 1356.The slightly raised square on the reverse (quadratum supercusum) indicates that this coin was struck after c. 1250. That square is the result of a minting technique in which the silver was cut into angular rather than round flans, which were easier to make and resulted in no scrap metal. After minting, the corners of the reverse of the coin was hammered four times. This rounded out the corners, but reduced the thickness of the flan, except in the center, which retained its original thickness. Coins minted in this manner are known as vierschlagpfennig.
The obverse devise also appears on the coat-of-arms of Hall, and it is not clear whether or not the coin preceded the coat-of-arms. The word "handel" means trade or commerce in German, and the hand may be a pun.StkpMay 29, 2014
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Crusader States: Principality of Antioch. Bohemond III (1163-1201)Metcalf Class C 388-391; Malloy 65-67
Billon Denier, struck circa 1163-1188, 18 mm
Obv: +BOANVNDVS [A ornamented with annulets, retrograde N’s], helmeted and mailed head left, crescent and star on either side.
Rev: +ANTIOCNIA [A’s ornamented with annulets, retrograde N’s], cross pattée, crescent in second quarter.
The Principality of Antioch was a crusader state created in 1098 during the First Crusade by Normans from Italy. In 1268, Baibars, the Mamluk Sultan of Egypt, took the city.
Bohemond (1144–1201), the “Stammerer” or the “Stutterer,” was the son of Constance of Antioch, the daughter of Bohemond II, by her first husband Raymond II of Poitiers, who was killed at the Battle of Inab in 1149 toward the end of the Second Crusade. She ruled as regent from 1149 until 1163, when Bohemond, with the assistance of King Baldwin III of Jerusalem, forced her to step down.
In 1164, Bohemond was captured by Nur ad-Din Zengi, who ruled the Syrian province of the Seljuk Empire, at the Battle of Harim. He was freed for a large ransom due to the intervention of King Amalric I of Jerusalem and Emperor Manuel I Comnenus. In 1192, after the fall of the Kingdom of Jerusalem following the battle of Hattin, Bohemond signed a truce with Saladin. Due to the truce, he remained neutral during the Third Crusade.
Bohemond clashed with Levon I of Armenia, who aspired to expand his kingdom. He was captured by Levon and forced to cede the Principality to Levon. However, the Antiochenes named Bohemond’s eldest son, Raymond IV of Tripoli, as their prince. Bohemond and Levon ultimately reconciled, and Raymond married Levon’s neice, Alice, who died shortly after giving birth to their son, Raymond-Roupen. Bohemond died in 1201 and the succession was disputed between his second son, Bohemond IV, and his grandson, Raymond-Roupen.StkpJan 20, 2014
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Switzerland, Republic of Geneva. Civic coinage.Neur HMZ.II 303e; Poole 96 (on p. 200)
AR, sol, undated (circa 1535-1597), 21 mm.
O: * GENEVA * CIVITAS *, two-headed imperial eagle over shield of arms.
R: * : POST • TENEBRAS • LVX •, voided cross with fleurated ends.
The coat of arms of Geneva since the 15th century is divided per pale showing both the imperial eagle and a key of St. Peter, reflecting its dual status as free city and Prince-Bishopric.
Post Tenebras Lux is a Latin phrase translated as Light After Darkness. It appears as “post tenebras spero lucem” (“After darkness, I hope for light”) in the Vulgate version of Job 17:12. The phrase came to be adopted as the Calvinist motto, and was subsequently adopted as the motto of the entire Protestant Reformation. It is used by John Calvin’s adopted city of Geneva, Switzerland on its coins.StkpMay 22, 2013
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Austria. Albert II (the Wise), Duke of Austria and Styria (1330-1358)Luschin/Szego 140, CNA B 236.
AR Pfennig, Vienna mint, 14-15 mm.
Obv: Hare facing left.
Rev: Shield.
“Until the 12th century, coins were needed above all for exports; daily transactions were generally barter transactions. As the economy began to operate increasingly on the principle of the division of labor and as cities began to grow, money started to acquire more and more importance for regional trade. Municipal records show that even in Austria under Babenberg rule, money payments to feudal lords began to replace payments in kind. The growing monetarization of society ushered in a new phase in the history of coins. Monetary systems became regionalized. The denar, formerly used for external trade and exports, was replaced by the regional pfennig. New monetary borders came into existence, within which the rulers with coinage rights tried to enforce the compulsory, exclusive use of their own coins. Under Babenberg rule, the Vienna pfennig was accorded the role of regional money used in Austria. The Vienna pfennig came into its own when the mint was moved from Krems to Vienna at the end of the 12th century. It served as a means of payment for daily monetary transactions and remained a monetary unit even when large foreign coins were used to settle the growing volume of trade transactions – gold coins such as the Venetian or Florentine ducat and large silver coins like the Prague groschen. In the course of the 14th century, it became established as a currency in nearly the entire area covered by modern-day Austria, with the exception of Tyrol and Vorarlberg.” (“Money and Trade during the Era of the Silver Pfennig.” Oesterreichische Nationalbank
“It is assumed that most of the 13th and 14th century reverses are not legible at all. This is entirely normal as the obverses were usually struck after the reverses.” (Szego, at 52). The reverse of this issue was the arms of mintmaster Heinrich Schucheler (per Jean Elsen, List 263 Lot 395).StkpMay 20, 2013
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Austria. Frederich the Handsome, Duke of Austria and Styria (1308-1330). Luschin/Szego 159.
AR Pfennig, Wiener Neustadt mint, 15-16 mm.
Obv: Austrian shield inside six-petalled rose.
Rev: Shield of Austria between two panthers.
“Until the 12th century, coins were needed above all for exports; daily transactions were generally barter transactions. As the economy began to operate increasingly on the principle of the division of labor and as cities began to grow, money started to acquire more and more importance for regional trade. Municipal records show that even in Austria under Babenberg rule, money payments to feudal lords began to replace payments in kind. The growing monetarization of society ushered in a new phase in the history of coins. Monetary systems became regionalized. The denar, formerly used for external trade and exports, was replaced by the regional pfennig. New monetary borders came into existence, within which the rulers with coinage rights tried to enforce the compulsory, exclusive use of their own coins. Under Babenberg rule, the Vienna pfennig was accorded the role of regional money used in Austria. The Vienna pfennig came into its own when the mint was moved from Krems to Vienna at the end of the 12th century. It served as a means of payment for daily monetary transactions and remained a monetary unit even when large foreign coins were used to settle the growing volume of trade transactions – gold coins such as the Venetian or Florentine ducat and large silver coins like the Prague groschen. In the course of the 14th century, it became established as a currency in nearly the entire area covered by modern-day Austria, with the exception of Tyrol and Vorarlberg.” (“Money and Trade during the Era of the Silver Pfennig.” Oesterreichische Nationalbank
“It is assumed that most of the 13th and 14th century reverses are not legible at all. This is entirely normal as the obverses were usually struck after the reverses.” (Szego, at 52).
Frederick the Handsome (Friedrich der Schöne), from the House of Habsburg, was Duke of Austria and Styria from 1308 as Frederick I as well as King of Germany (King of the Romans) from 1314 (antiking until 1325) as Frederick III until his death.StkpMay 20, 2013
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Livonia (Polish occupied). Sigismund III Vasa (King of Poland & Grand Duke of Lithuania,1587-1632)Kopicki 8169, Kaminski 2473, Gumowski 1431, KM 5 var.
AR solidus (= szelag), Riga mint, dated 1621, nominal weight 0.90 g., 16 mm.
Obv: • SIG • III • D • G • REX • POL [•] D [•] L [•], crowned S (the monarch’s initial), Z-1 (date) in fields.
Rev: SOLIDVS [• C]I – VI [• RIGE]NSIS •, Riga city arms, dog at 6:00 (privy mark).
This coin was minted on a rolling press, comprised of two heavy iron rollers (cylinders) connected by a toothed wheel to provide synchronous rotation, and powered by horses or water. The dies of the upper roller corresponded to the dies of the lower roller. When a strip of the sheet coin-metal was fed through the rollers, the obverse designs were transferred onto one side of the strip, and the reverse designs were imprinted onto another side. Then the strip with the impressed coin designs was either punched out on a punch press or cut out manually. The corresponding obverse and reverse dies were supposed to be aligned in relation to each other, but they were often misaligned due to the difficulty of maintaining their synchronization, as a roller would often slow down, jam or stall for a fraction of a second during, causing one of the design imprints to be offset in relation to the other. This resulted in a massive production of coins with displaced obverse or reverse designs. On this coin, the reverse design is displaced; the bottom of the design is off the flan, but can be seen on the top of the coin, where a portion of an adjacent coin from the sheet metal is on the flan.StkpSep 04, 2011
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Portugal. Manuel I (1495-1521)cf. Gomes 18.01
AR ½ vintem, 16 mm.
Obv: + I:EMA[NVE]L•R•P:ET•A•D:G, cross of five quinas (with five bezants in each).
Rev: [I:E]MANVEL•R:P:ET•A:D:G, cross cantonnée.
Note: The legend probably expands to Imperator Emanuel Rex Portugal Et Algarves Dominus Guinnee.StkpJan 10, 2010
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Italian States. Verona. Biaggi 2969, CNI __
AR denaro piccolo, 13 mm. (scyphate), struck by Frederick II of Hohenstaufen (Federico II di Svevia) (1218-1250)
Obv (concave): F’ – CI – VI – CI (retrograde) in intersecting cross.
Rev (convex): VE – RO – N – A, in intersecting cross.StkpNov 20, 2009
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Ragusa (now, Dubrovnik, Croatia)CNI VI Type 6, Group 2, Mimica Type XVII, Resetar Type 17
AE minca (follaro), 17-18 mm. Struck ca. 1546-1551.
Obv: • MONETA—RACVSII, Laureate female head left, hair bunched in back.
Rev: • CIVITAS • • RACVSII, City walls with three towers and one gate, double line (stylized harbor) below.
Note: This coin does not appear to match any of the specific coins identified in the references, but seems to fall within the types indicated above.
StkpOct 10, 2009
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England. Plantagenet. Edward I (1272-1307)North 1018-19; Spink 1389-90
AR penny, new coinage (struck post 1279), Fox System class 3c-d, (1280-1281), London mint. 1.43 g. 19.59 mm. max., 180°.
Obv: + (cross potent) EDW R’ ANGL’ DNS hyB (round E; barred A; normal barred Ns; composite S; incurved tail on h; thin-wedge contractive marks), Crowned facing bust (crown with straight trifoliate side-fleurs; arrowhead intermediate ornaments; drapery of two triangular pieces).
Rev: CIVI-TAS LON-DON (rounded C; barred A; composite S; normal barred Ns), Long cross; trefoil of three pellets in each quarter.StkpSep 30, 2009
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Italian States. Genoa. Republic.Biaggi 835, MIR II Varesi 16, CNI III p3, 1 et seq.;
AR denaro; 81 g., 16.43 mm. max., 180°
The type struck from 1139-1339 in the name of Conrad III (1138-1152). The silver content ranged from a fineness of up to 0.366 gr. in 1441 to up to 0.176 gr. in 1335. This coins is a Baldassarri Group IIIa (=Metcalf IIIc) and was struck ca. 1210-1240.
Obv: + • I A • N V • A •, central castle.
Rev: CVNRADI REX, central cross pattée.
"The symbol in the obverse field of Genoa’s denaro is referred to variously as a castle or gateway, but it was almost certainly a gate rather than a castle . . . In Latin, the term ‘Ianua’ simply means ‘gate’ or ‘gateway,’ and the image was no doubt intended as a symbolic representation of the city’s name." Day, William R. Jr. "The Petty Coinage Of Genoa Under The Early Doges, 1339-1396," XIII Congreso internacional de numismática (Madrid, 15-19 septiembre 2003): Actas – Proceedings – Actes, eds C. Alfaro, C. Marcos & P. Otero, 2 vols (Madrid: Ministerio de cultura, 2005), 1295-1304, at 1296 n.3.
Conrad III, founder of the Hohenstaufen dynasty, was never crowned Holy Roman Emperor, and styled himself “King of the Romans.” In 1139 he granted Genoa the right to mint coins. StkpSep 27, 2009
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Norway (under Denmark). Frederick III (1648-1670)Hede Norway 70B, Schou var., KM 30
AR 2 skilling, 18 mm., 1651, struck by Frederick Grüner at the Christiania (Oslo) mint
Obv: FRIDERIC • III • D G • DAN :, surrounding Norwegian lion
Rev: NOR • VAN • GOTO • REX • 1651, bottle (privy mark), surrounding • II • / SKILI / NGDA / NSK, in four rows
StkpSep 27, 2009
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German States: Lower Bavaria. Duke Stephan II (Stephan II mit der hafte) (1349-1375)Wittelsbach 145, Beierlein 52-54, Saurma 964
AR Pfennig, Munich mint, 15-16 mm.
Obv: Half-length portrait of a monk holding a pilgrim's staff, cross on his shoulder
Rev: Reveille shield
Note: The description of the reverse shield is per Westfälische Auktionsgesellschaft für Münzen und Medaillen oHG Auction Catalog No. 28, Lots 68-69, apparently describing the second reverse depicted as Wittelsbach 145 (and Saurma 964).
StkpSep 27, 2009
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Poland. Jan Kazimir (Casimir IV) (1648-1668)AE solidus/szelag (crowned type), dated 1664, struck by Titus Livius Boratini (and for this reason the emission is called a boratynka), at the Ujazdów Castle mint, in Warsaw. 16 mm.
Kopicki 1552, Gumowski 1643, KM 110
Obv: • CAS • REX – IOAN, Bust right, T.L.B. beneath.
Rev: SOLID • REG • – POLO • 1664 •, Crowned eagle with outstretched arms, 1 in shield in center.
StkpJan 24, 2009
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