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Valued Member
United States
106 Posts |
Here are a couple of specimens from the medieval Balkans. The first is a silver Dinar from the BANATE OF BOSNIA issued under the reign of Ban: Stjepan Kotromanic II 1322-1353 AD. The second is a silver Grosh from the KINGDOM OF BOSNIA issued under the reign of King: Tvrtko Kotromanic II 1404-1408 and 1421-1443 AD.  BOSNIA (BANATE)~AR Dinar 1322-1353 AD BOSNIA (KINGDOM)~AR Grosh 1404-1408 and 1421-1443 AD |
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Valued Member
 United States
106 Posts |
The following series will deal with coins from Serbia. These first two specimens were issued for the KINGDOM OF SERBIA under King: Stefan Uros I 1243-1276 AD and King: Stefan Dragutin 1276-1282 AD. Most early Serbian coins were very similar to coins from Venice and the Byzantine Empire from the re pattern, weight and content. The following two coins are from under Stefan I and Dragutin which were modeled after the Venetian Gros coins. Both coins show the respective leaders along side a saint with text bearing name and status on the obverse. The reverse for both coins show Christ enthroned with the intials IC/XC. The main difference between both specimens is the lengend on the obverse. The coin for Stefan I is marked 'STEFANVS-REX- VROSIVS '. Dragutin's coin is marked 'STEFANVS-REX -STEFAN'.  SERBIA (KINGDOM)~AR Dinar 1243-1276 AD SERBIA (KINGDOM)~AR Dinar 1276-1282 ADEdited by DJB1968
12/23/2009 9:48 pm
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Valued Member
United States
106 Posts |
This next coin is a silver Dinar from the KINGDOM OF SERBIA. It was issued under the reign of King: Stefan Uros III~Decanski (1321-1331 AD). Decanski was the son of Stefan Uros II~Milutin and and had a very turbulent life. In 1314, after a quarrel with his father, Milutin had his son taken to Constantinople to be blinded. He wasn't blinded properly, but did have to wear a bandage around his eyes. He was permitted to return to Serbia, but had to fight many pretenders to the throne before being crowned in 1321. His neighbors Bulgaria and the Byzantine Empire formed an alliance in which they planned to invade Serbia in 1330. However, Decanski came out victorious at the Battle of Velbuzhd where he defeated Bulgaria and killed the Bulgarian tsar Mikhail Asen III. This was his biggest during his short reign. Taking advantage of the situation, Decanski was able to push the border south into Macedonia. Decanski's fortunes took a turn for the worst when some of his courtiers became discontent with his policies. They then plotted to have Decanski dethroned in favor of his son Dusan. Decanski was imprisoned at the castle of Zvecan, where he was killed by strangulation in 1331. Following his death, Decanski was canonized by the Serbian Orthodox Church.  SERBIA (KINGDOM)~AR Dinar 1321-1331 ADEdited by DJB1968
12/23/2009 9:50 pm
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Valued Member
United States
106 Posts |
This is a group of silver Dinars issued under King/Tsar: Stefan Uros IV (Dusan) 1331-1355 AD and his son Tsar: Stefan Uros V. Dusan held two titles during his reign. Dusan was a king from 1331-1346, then was crowned Tsar in 1346 and reigned until his death in 1355. The first coin was issued when Dusan was a king. The obverse shows Dusan and his wife Elena standing with the king's intials in Cyrillic. The reverse shows Christ enthroned with the initials IC/XC. The second is a Coronation Dinar struck in 1346 AD. The obverse shows two angels crowning Dusan tsar with his initials and title in Cyrillic. The reverse shows Christ enthroned. This issue marked Serbias rise from a kingdom to an empire, and the countrys zenith of power. The third coin is an imperial issue showing Dusan with Elena on the obverse along with name and title in Latin legend: 'INPERATOR/STEFANU'. The reverse shows Christ standing holding a scepter with intials: ID/XD. The third is a Helm Dinar showing Dusan's crested helm on the obverse with his name and title in Latin: 'INPERATOR/STEFANU'. The reverse shows Christ enthroned with the Latin initials: N/C. The fifth, is a silver Horseback Dinar showing Dusan's intials marked at both the top left and right in Cyrillic legend on the obverse side. The reverse shows the typical image of Christ in glory with the initials IC/XC in Roman legend. This is one of many varieties of the Horseback Dinars issued during Dusan's reign. While Dusan brought Serbia to it's height of power, his son Tsar: Stefan Uros V 1355-1371 AD, caused the empire to quickly unravel. Known as Stefan the Feeble due to his poor leadership, he had numerous nobles, despots other local rulers who didn't acknowledge his status as tsar. He did however, use similar designs on his coins as his late father. The example shown is a Helm Dinar showing Uros enthroned, holding a cruciform scepter, with his name and title in Cyrillic:OUSH/CR-'UROS/TSAR'. The reverse shows Uros's Crested helm, with his name and title in Latin: VROSIVSI/MPERATOR.  SERBIA (KINGDOM)~AR Dinar 1331-1346 AD SERBIAN EMPIRE~AR Dinar c.1346 AD SERBIAN EMPIRE~AR Dinar 1346-1355 AD SERBIAN EMPIRE~AR Helm Dinar 1346-1355 AD SERBIAN EMPIRE~AR Horseback Dinar (Var. 1) 1346-1355 AD SERBIAN EMPIRE~AR Helm Dinar 1355-1371 AD |
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Valued Member
United States
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This specimen is a silver Dinar under King: Vukasin Mrnjavcevic (1365-1371 AD). Vukasin reigned in the area that is now part of north-western Macedonia. He was intially given the title of 'despot' by Tsar: Stefan Uros V, then became king in 1365. This coin showed signs that Serbia's unity was wavering since it was issued during the same period as Stefan V's. Vukasin's short reign ended when he was killed in a battle against a Turkish regiment in 1371. The obverse side shows 5 lines in Cyrillic legend: 'IN CHRIST OUR GOD PIOUS KING VUKASIN'. The reverse shows Christ enthroned with intials in Roman text: IC/XC.  SERBIAN EMPIRE~AR Dinar 1365-1371 ADEdited by DJB1968
12/23/2009 10:20 pm
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Valued Member
United States
106 Posts |
Serving as the last official ruler of the Serbian Empire, Knez/Prince: Lazar Hrebeljanovic, aquired his title from Stefan Uros V, and took power in 1371 in northern Serbia. While Lazar was a pledged vassal to Uros, he refused to serve in the 'Battle of Marica' where large portion of the Serbian imperial army was destroyed by the Ottoman Turks. As a result, Lazar was the most powerful noble not under Ottoman influence. Lazar thwarted the first attack from the Turks and had a brief pause in hostilities. However in 1389, Lazar's forces faced off with the Turks at the 'Battle of Kosovo' also known as the 'Field of the Black Birds' where he was defeated and executed along with most of his political hierarchy, thus bringing an official end to Serbia's short lived empire. The coin posted is a silver dinar with 5 lines in Cyrillic legend: 'IN CHRIST OUR GOD PIOUS PRINCE LAZAR' on the obverse side. The reverse shows Christ enthroned with initials in Roman legend: IC/XC.  SERBIAN EMPIRE~AR Dinar 1371-1389 ADEdited by DJB1968
12/23/2009 10:23 pm
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Valued Member
United States
106 Posts |
Nobleman: Vuk Brankovic governed as the Master of Kosovo and was the son-in-law of Prince Lazar. He fought in the 'Battle of Kosovo' and was one of the few members of the imperial hierarchy to survive the battle. Vuk was and still is considered by many Serb nationals to be a traitor because he appeared to act independently of Lazar, although there is no evidence to support this. Because of the smaller territory that Vuk still controlled, he had neither the power nor sources for independence. Unofficial sources report that Vuk was imprisoned in 1395, and remained so until his death in 1397. The first coin posted is a silver Dinar showing Vuk standing holding scepter with Cyrillic legend: 'VUK/VUK' on the obverse side. The reverse shows Christ enthroned with the moneyers name in Cyrillic: 'JAK(O)V'. The second is a silver Dinar with 4 lines in Cyrillic legend: 'VUK DINAR' with Moneyers initials JAKOV on the obverse side. The reverse shows Christ enthroned holding book of gospels. This coin is unique in that it was on of the few medieval coins with the denomination marked on it.  SERBIA~AR Dinar 1371-1395 AD (Type 1) SERBIA~AR Dinar 1371-1395 AD (Type 2)Edited by DJB1968
12/23/2009 10:09 pm
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Valued Member
United States
106 Posts |
After the crushing defeat at the Battle of Kosovo, the Serbian Empire was laid to ruin. Following Lazar's execution, his son Stefan Lazarevic Hrebeljanovic assumed the throne. During his reign, Lazarevic held two titles. From 1389 to 1402, he reigned as Prince under the vassal of the Ottoman Empire. Then in 1402, he became a Despot after the Ottoman Empire's temporary collapse, until his death in 1427. Numerous coins were issued under Lazarevic both as a Prince and a Despot. The first specimen is a silver Dinar issued from 1389-1402 during Lazarevic's reign as prince. The obverse shows an ox-horned helm which was used by the Lazarevic family with legend in Roman text: CON~V=COUNT/PRINCE. The reverse shows Christ enthroned holding the book of gospels. The second specimen is a silver Dinar issued from 1402-1427 when Lazarevic governed as a despot. The obverse shows 4-lined legend in Cyrillic: 'IN CHRIST OUR GOD LORD STEFAN'. The reverse shows Christ in glory holding the book of gospels with intials in Roman text: IC/XC.  SERBIA (PRINCIPALITY)~AR Dinar 1389-1402 AD SERBIA (DESPOTATE)~AR Dinar 1402-1427 ADEdited by DJB1968
12/23/2009 10:21 pm
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Valued Member
United States
106 Posts |
After Stefan Lazarevic's death, his nephew Djuradj Brankovic was appointed as despot in 1427. Djuradj who was the son of Vuk Brankovic, was the first in his family to achieve royal status. He was partially successful at holding together what remained of Serbia's statehood by allying himself with Hungary where he also served as a Baron. During his reign, he moved the capital to Smederevo which was captured by the Ottoman Empire in 1439 and he was forced to abdicate his throne but was reinstated in 1444. Djuradj died in 1456 leaving his first son Lazar Brankovic who reigned only two years from 1456 to 1458 when he died. Lazar was then succeeded by his brother Stefan Brankovic III who ruled from 1458 till he was dethroned by Stjepan Tomasevic Kotromanic of Bosnia in 1459. The two specimens posted issued under Djuradj Brankovic, were among the last coins for Serbia before being completely absorbed into the Ottoman Empire. The first is a silver Dinar showing 4 Lines in Cyrillic legend: 'LORD / DESPOT / DJURADJ ' on the obverse. The reverse shows the Brankoviæ family crest, the rampant lion surrounded by 4 stars. The second is a silver Aspra showing Djuradj standing wearing a cape, holding a sword and orb, title on rim in Cyrillic: 'DESPOT-DJURADJ ' on the obverse side. The reverse shows a rampant lion with the mint name in Cyrillic legend: 'SMEDEREVO '. The third is a silver Aspra measuring 11 mm wide. The obverse show Djuradj's monogram: 'DJURADJ' with lillies and stars on the rim. The reverse show Djuradj's title: 'DESPOT' with lillies and stars on the rim.  SERBIA (DESPOTATE)~AR Dinar 1427-1456 AD SERBIA (DESPOTATE)~AR Aspra 1427-1456 AD (Type 1) SERBIA (DESPOTATE)~AR Aspra 1427-1456 AD (Type 2)Edited by DJB1968
12/23/2009 10:35 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2605 Posts |
Nice lot! Are they your family heirlooms?
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Valued Member
United States
106 Posts |
Thanks 'svslav'. No, actually I'm of English and Irish heritage. Eastern European coins are of a particular interest (the Balkans in particular) because of all the changes that have gone on in the past 20 years. Some of the events of the medieval Balkans have molded what is currently happening.
~Daniel
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Valued Member
United States
106 Posts |
This next section deals with the BANATE OF SLAVONIA (also called the 'Banovina of Slavonia'). Slavonia was formed in the 13th century as a province of Hungary and lasted until 1476 AD, when it joined with the Banate of Croatia. Slavonia is now part of modern Croatia and Bosnia-Hercegovina. The first specimen is a silver Denar issued under Ban: Heinrich von Gussing, dating from 1269 to 1270 AD. The second is silver Groschen issued under Ban: Stjepan Babonic, dating from 1280 to 1282 AD (?) *.  SLAVONIA (BANATE)~AR Denar 1269-1270 AD SLAVONIA (BANATE)~AR Groschen 1280-1282 AD (?)*- Although there are no records of the Groschen listed, references lead to it being issued by ruler listed above. Changes will be made in the future if necessary. |
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Valued Member
United States
106 Posts |
This next specimen is a silver Grosso from the REPUBLIC OF RAGUSA (now Dubrovnik, Croatia) 1372-1383 AD. The city of Ragusa was established in 614 AD, and became a republic in 1358 after it gained independence from Venice. For the next hundred years Ragusa remained for the most part a independent entity with loose ties to the Kingdom of Hungary. In 1458, Ragusa was being threatened by the approaching military of the Ottoman Empire. To avoid a complete takeover, Ragusa signed a treaty with Ottoman Empire on which a diplomat would be sent to Constantinople (now Istanbul) each year on November 1, to make the tribute. By 1481, Ragusa became a Turkish vassal, but maintained a good deal of autonomy. However, Portuguese exploration that opened new ocean trade routes, thus the ships no longer went through the Mediterranean Sea. Also, the discovery of America, caused Mediterranean shipping to suffer. The two combining factors caused both Venice and Ragusa to go into decline. The republic came under a month long siege by the Russian fleet. The siege ended when Ragusa surrendered to France when Napoleon and his troops entered the city in 1806. The republic was officially abolished in 1808, and made part of the French Illyrian Provinces.  RAGUSA (REPUBLIC)~AR Grosso 1372-1383 AD |
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Valued Member
United States
106 Posts |
Another formidable power in the Balkans was the BULGARIAN EMPIRE. Bulgaria stood as an empire twice in their history. The first empire lasted from 632-1018 AD when it was overrun by the Byzantine Empire. The Bulgarian Empire was restored in 1186 AD (sometimes referred to as the Second Bulgarian Empire) and would reign, next to Serbia, as a major power in Southeastern Europe until 1396 AD, when they were conquered by the Ottoman Empire. The following specimen is a silver Groschen issued during the reign of Tsar: Ivan Asen I 1189-1196 AD.  BULGARIAN EMPIRE (SECOND)~AR Groschen 1189-1196 AD |
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Valued Member
United States
106 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
106 Posts |
The next coin is a billon Trachy from the KINGDOM OF THESSALONICA 1200-1224 AD. Thessalonica was a short lived crusader state that was a vassal of the Latin Empire. In 1210 AD, the Despotate of Epirus lead an attack against Thessalonica until the territory was conquered and annexed by Epirus in 1224 AD. The ruler for which this coin was issued under is yet unknown.  THESSALONICA (KINGDOM)~Billon Trachy 1200-1224 AD |
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Replies: 24 / Views: 8,485 |
Posted 12/23/2009 9:47 pm
