Jay's (Me) Educational 1200's - 1500's Italian Grosso Thread. Add To It!

A series I love. One of my favorites! Imagine...existing during this time?
The Grosso was imitated throughout different countries & Empires like:
Bulgaria, the Byzantine Empire, Serbia, and more.

The design features Christ on the Obverse
Reverse: Present Doge of that Period in Venice / St. Mark

Variations of this coin circulated throughout the medieval times and the most strikingly different example is the one of Doge Antonio Venier. 66th Doge of Venice from 1382 until his death in 1400..

Mules of this beautiful issue do exist, as do many variations large and small in diameter and size, and one of my favorite "Lost" series to collect all-together.

These beautiful issues sadly, will never appear again, and once you have them, you own them forever. All hammer struck. Another take to the grave piece.

Let's have some fun. I envy those with high grade Grossos, as I cannot find one high-grade example that I am pleased with. Especially, at a fair price. However, all of these shown have beautiful character.

Wait until the NGC XF45 pops up.

Jacopo Contarini Grosso Doge & St. Mark / Christ Enthroned on Reverse *I posted some in the order of Reverse first, Christ by himself. The Antonio Venier examples are Reverse posted first.

Jacopo Contarini, born in Venice in 1289, embarked on his educational journey around the age of 20, likely enrolling in one of the renowned universities such as Bologna. During his early years of study, he focused on Latin, philosophy, and theology, preparing himself for a future in public service and Venetian politics. Coming from a noble family, Jacopo's education aimed to equip him with the knowledge and skills necessary to serve Venice's growing political and diplomatic ambitions. His formative years coincided with Venice's expansion as a powerful maritime republic, inspiring his aspirations to play a significant role in shaping the city's future leadership.

*My first Grosso. I paid up for it, as I didn't know, but truthfully this coin has luster of AU but details of VF/ Good in areas. It's beautiful in hand. The Doge and St. Mark especially.




Next up: Pietro Gradenigo, Doge & St. Mark (1289 to 1311)

Pietro Gradenigo, born in Venice in 1289, began his journey as a student around the age of 20, enrolling in one of the leading medieval universities such as Bologna. During his early years of study, he immersed himself in Latin, philosophy, and theology, laying the groundwork for a future career in Venetian politics and diplomacy. Growing up in a prominent noble family, Pietro's education was driven by ambitions to serve his city-state, Venice, as a statesman and leader. His formative years in academia coincided with a period of political growth and expansion for Venice, shaping his aspirations to contribute significantly to his homeland's influence and stability.




Jacopo Contarini Grosso Doge & St. Mark / Christ Enthroned on Reverse (2nd One. I got a duplicate to replace the first one posted first. This is a much better looking example, however, it lacks any luster the first one demonstrates clearly when seen in hand

Once again!! Jacopo Contarini, born in Venice in 1289, embarked on his educational journey around the age of 20, likely enrolling in one of the renowned universities such as Bologna. During his early years of study, he focused on Latin, philosophy, and theology, preparing himself for a future in public service and Venetian politics. Coming from a noble family, Jacopo's education aimed to equip him with the knowledge and skills necessary to serve Venice's growing political and diplomatic ambitions. His formative years coincided with Venice's expansion as a powerful maritime republic, inspiring his aspirations to play a significant role in shaping the city's future leadership.




1394 Italy Venice Silver Grosso, Antonio Venier (Christ Open Mouth) Reverse photo shown first

Antonio Venier (or Antonio Venier) was a prominent Venetian statesman and doge who served as the 66th Doge of Venice from 1382 until his death in 1400. He was known for his diplomatic skill and leadership during a period marked by political stability and territorial expansion for Venice. Venier's reign was characterized by efforts to strengthen Venice's maritime power and its influence in the Mediterranean. His tenure also saw diplomatic negotiations and alliances that helped secure Venice's position as a major maritime republic. Venier was respected for his wise governance and dedication to the prosperity of Venice during a pivotal era in its history.

This particular issue caught my attention. Christ has a circular mouth and I found it so unique for a coin this historic to have such a look. I bought it sight unseen except off one picture.




1394 Italy Venice Silver Grosso, Antonio Venier *Just another one*




Agostino Barbarigo Marcello (1/2 Lira) ND (1486-1501) XF45 NGC

Agostino Barbarigo Marcello served as the Doge of Venice from 1486 to 1501, a period marked by political stability and the expansion of Venetian influence in the Mediterranean. As doge, he was known for his diplomatic skills and efforts to maintain Venice's dominance amid changing alliances and regional conflicts. The coin, a 1/2 Lira minted during his reign, reflects the era's artistic and monetary standards, often bearing his name and image, symbolizing his authority and the prosperity of Venice at the turn of the 16th century. His leadership helped uphold Venice's reputation as a powerful maritime republic, securing its economic and political interests during a dynamic period in Italian and Mediterranean history...






Time for Gold. These are Zecchinos: Venice. Ludovico Manin gold Zecchino ND (1789-1797) NGC

Ludovico Manin was the last Doge of Venice, serving from 1789 until 1797. He is best known for presiding over Venice during its final years as an independent republic before the fall to Napoleon Bonaparte. Manin's reign was marked by political instability and external pressures from revolutionary France and other European powers. Facing the inevitable, he made efforts to defend Venice's sovereignty, but ultimately, the city was conquered in 1797, ending over a millennium of Venetian independence. Ludovico Manin's leadership symbolizes the decline of the Venetian Republic and its transition into history, marking the end of an era in Italian and European history.











Leonardo Loredan 1501-1518 Silver Soldino NGC VF Details

Bought this priced right. Not a huge lover of the size or series, but impulse bought for the price. Not a Grosso, a Soldino, but still neat and won't get another thread so it's put here.

Leonardo Loredan was a prominent Venetian statesman and the 75th Doge of Venice, serving from 1501 to 1521. Renowned for his wisdom, diplomatic skill, and leadership, Loredan played a key role in navigating Venice through a period of political challenges and conflicts, including wars with major European powers. His tenure was marked by efforts to strengthen Venice's political stability and its influence in the Mediterranean. As doge, he was highly respected for his dedication to the Republic's prosperity and for maintaining Venice's status as a leading maritime power during the early 16th century.






This is the collection. It is big in the sense of the simple variety and choice. I will add to it as I get more Doges in time, and there are a few Mules I've seen too. I love Italian Medieval Gold, Byzantine Gold, and Grossos