Medieval Balkans

[Zantetsuken]

This next specimen is a billon Denier from the DESPOTATE OF EPIRUS 1294-1313 AD. It was issued during the rule of Despot: Philip de Taranto. These were Frankish coins that were circulated in the region that is now part of northwestern Greece and Albania.


EPIRUS (DESPOTATE)~Billon Denier 1294-1313 AD

[Rigos_Place]

Very nice coins you guys.... Thanks for sharing all the coins and info...

[Zantetsuken]

This is a copper Bani from WALLACHIA 1429-1435 AD?. It is listed as being issued under Ban: Nicolae Redwitz, but some Romanian numismatists believe this might have actually been issued under Prince: Dan II (1420-1431 AD). The obverse show a crowned shield with a cross of the Teutonic Knights and initial. The reverse, while weakly struck, shows the leader standing, holding a scepter, and legend along the rim. The 'Bani' is a division of the 'Leu', and is still used in Romanian currency today.



WALLACHIA~AE Bani 1429-1435?

[Zantetsuken]

The Venetians also had a strong influence in Balkan region, especially on the Dalmatian coast and the Aegean islands. This first specimen is a gold Zecchino from CHIOS which was issued under Doge/Duke: Philip Maria Visconti 1415-1436 AD. The Zecchino had a similar pattern to the Venetian Ducat. The second specimen is a copper Fallaro from CATTARO/KOTOR 1569-1571. Cattaro was a walled city on the southern Adriatic coast, and is now known as 'Kotor' in Montenegro.


CHIOS~AV Zecchino 1415-1436 AD



CATTARO/KOTOR (MUNICIPAL)~AE Fallaro 1569-1571

[Zantetsuken]

Here is my latest aquisition.  This a silver Aspra from the DESPOTATE OF SERBIA 1427-1456 AD. It was issued during the rule of Despot: Djuradj Brankovic. The obverse show Djuradj's monogram 'ГЮРЬГЬ' with lillies and stars on the rim. The reverse show Djuradj's title 'ДЕСПОТЬ /DESPOT' with lillies and stars on the rim.


SERBIA (DESPOTATE) AR Aspra 1427-1456 AD

[Zantetsuken]

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.

[Zantetsuken]

Here are two coins from the islands of RHODES under the Order of the Knights of St. John. The first is a silver Gigliato issued under Grandmaster: Juan Fernandez de Heredia 1376-1396 AD. This was overstruck on a coin issued by the previous grandmaster Robert d'Anjou. The second is silver Gigliato issued under Grandmaster: Philabert de Naillac 1396-1421 AD. The Knights of St. John were assigned to protect Rhodes, during the crusades, from the Ottoman Empire which had threatened Southeastern Europe. It's operation in Rhodes ran from 1310-1523.  Later they were stationed in Malta from 1530-1798.


RHODES~AR Gigliato 1376-1396 AD



RHODES~AR Gigliato 1396-1421 AD

[Zantetsuken]

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

[coinsarefun]

Such amazing history to go along with amazing coins Zantetsuken!

[Zantetsuken]

Such amazing history to go along with amazing coins Zantetsuken!

Thanks Stefanie. Your site is alot of fun. These coins look better in person, but I think I did fairly well in capturing the coins image and toning.  I'll post more for this area when as I aquire them. Best regards.

~Daniel.

PS- Here is an attachment of a map I made of the Balkans when Serbia hit its zenith of power. It also includes the Banate of Bosnia, and other neighboring territories.