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ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL COINS

ANCIENT PERSIAN SILVER SIGLOS

The ancient Persian Empire stretched through the Fertile Crescent, covering much of modern-day Iran, Iraq and Turkey.  The Persian silver Siglos was first introduced about 546BC, during the reign of Cyrus the Great.  The silver Siglos continued to be issued during the reigns of Darius and Xerxes.  It was practically the only coin of issued by the Persian Empire until the it was conquered by Alexander the Great in 330BC. The coins show the king kneeling holding a bow and carrying a spear or a dagger.   The reverse side has a crude incuse punch mark that was formed when the coin was struck.  It is an important historic coin that was used in much of the ancient world. 

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SILVER TETRADRACHMS OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT 

As a youth, Alexander was taught by Aristotle.  Upon the assassination of his father in 336BC, Alexander became the King of Macedonia at age 20. His army quickly conquered the Greek states and he then set off across Asia. With brilliant military and political tactics he conquered Egypt and the Persian Empire. He continued conquering all in his path.  In 326BC he reached India.  There, his weary army mutinied, refusing to go any further.  Alexander was forced to return.  He died three years later, after a prolonged banquet and drinking binge. Until his reign, Greek coins did not show mortals. But Alexander sought to proclaim himself as a God.  The coins of Alexander portray him as Hercules, dressed in a lion's skin.  The reverse shows Zeus seated. After the death of Alexander in 323BC his top generals fought for control of portions of his empire.  Seleucus I Nicator gained control of a vast territory stretching from Anatolia (now Turkey) to Persia to northwestern India, thus founding the Seleucid Empire.  After battles with Chandragupta of the Mauryan Empire in India they agreed to a peace treaty.  Seleucus gave up some territory.  In exchange Chandragupta gave him 500 war elephants, his daughter in marriage, aphrodisiacs and other gifts. He was assassinated in 281BC during his campaign to take Macedonia and Thrace.  Seleucus struck Tetradrachms in the same style as Alexander's, however with the legend ΣEΛEYKOY (Seleucus) rather than AΛEXANΔΡOY (Alexander) on the reverse.

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ANCIENT SELEUCID SILVER COINS

After the death of Alexander in 323BC his top generals fought for control of his empire.  Seleucus I Nicator gained control of a vast territory stretching from Anatolia (now Turkey) to Persia to northwestern India, thus founding the Seleucid Empire.  After battles with Chandragupta of the Mauryan Empire in India they agreed to a peace treaty.  Seleucus gave up some territory.  In exchange Chandragupta gave him 500 war elephants, his daughter in marriage, aphrodisiacs and other gifts. He was assassinated in 281BC during his campaign to take Macedonia and Thrace.  Seleucus struck Tetradrachms in the same style as Alexander's, however with the legend ΣEΛEYKOY (Seleucus) rather than AΛEXANΔΡOY (Alexander) on the reverse.  Seleucus was succeeded by his son Antiochus I Soter.  Most of Antiochus' reign devoted to wars and putting down revolts.  Antiochus made peace with his father's murder by abandoning claims to Macedonia.  In 275BC he defeated the Galatians in Anatolia by using the his father's war elephants.  In 268BC he executed his eldest son for leading a rebellion.   He unsuccessfully battled the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt for control of Syria. In 262BC he attacked Peragum, was defeated and died soon thereafter.   The Seleucus I Tetradrachm is similar to the coins of Alexander the Great.  It is a thick silver coin, approximately 26mm that depicts Seleucus as Hercules on the obverse and Zeus seated on the reverse.   We have two silver Drachms of Antiochos I.  Both are approximately 15mm and depict the head of Antiochos.  One type has Apollo seated on the reverse.  The other, depicting a horsehead on the reverse, is from Ai Khanoum in northern Afghanistan.  The city is believed to have been founded about 280BC by Antiochos due to its proximity to silver mines in the nearby Hindu Kush mountains.

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INDO-GREEK SILVER DRACHM OF APOLLODOTUS II

The Indo-Greeks descended from Alexander the Great, who conquered northern India in 326BC. They were the eastern most part of Hellenistic culture, ruling the area around Afghanistan, Pakistan and north-western India. They maintained Greek culture, religion and language, incorporating it with elements of Indian culture and language. Apollodotus II was one of the greatest Indo-Greek kings.  During his reign, from about 80 to 65BC he re-established much of the glory and territory of the Indo-Greek kingdoms.  After his death the Indo-Greek kingdom fragmented and soon disappeared.  This silver drachm of Apollodotus II reflects both the Greek and Indian culture.  The obverse depicts the bust of the king with a Greek legend that translates as "Of Apollodotus the Great, Savior & Father loving King".  The reverse depicts Athena Alkidemos standing and has the legend in Kharoshthi script that translates "Savior King Appolodotus".  He obviously thought well of himself.  The coin is approximately 17mm in diameter. It is an attractive and historic ancient silver coin from the farthest reaches of Greek culture.

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ANCIENT JUDEAN WIDOW'S MITE FROM THE TIME OF CHRIST 

The story of the Widow's Mite can be found in the Bible in Mark 12:41-44.  For Jesus, the widow's small offering of her only two small coins was worth far more than the large contributions of the rich who gave only a small portion of what they had.  The mite, also known as the lepton, was the smallest denomination struck in ancient Judea.  The coin was first struck during the reign of Alexander Janeaus, and continued to be used during the time of Christ.  Most display an ancient anchor on one side and a wheel on the other, though other designs were used as well. Minters were paid by how many pieces they produced, not how well they produced them.  As a result, the coins tend to be crude and off center.  Every coin is different.   This historic coin of the Bible is over 2000 years old and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

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HELENA - MOTHER OF CONSTANTINE AND DISCOVER OF THE TRUE CROSS

CONSTANTINE EXECUTES HIS SON AND WIFE

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KUSHAN COIN OF THE "UNKNOWN KING"

The Kushan Empire ruled the area from northern India through Afghanistan into Central Asia in the first and second centuries AD.  It grew wealthy controlling trade centers on the Silk Road and on the Indus River and had diplomatic relations with both Rome and China.  Until recently the actual name of its second emperor was unknown.  He was known only by the title on his coins "Soter Megas", which translates as “Great Savior”.  He thought of himself as being so great, he did need to use his actual name. With the discovery of a large stone tablet listing the names of the Kushan rulers it is now known his name was Vima Takto who ruled from about 80 to 105AD.  His bronze tetradrachm features a Greek style diademed bust of the king on one side, and the king on horseback on the other.  It is an attractive, well-struck ancient coin.

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ANCIENT KUSHANO-SASANIAN COPPER COIN 

After the split of the Kushan Empire around 230AD, the eastern portion became a vassal state of the Sasanian Empire is known as the Kushano-Sassanians.  It controlled parts of what are now Afghanistan and Pakistan. It remained until about 350AD, when the area was conquered by the White Huns (Hephthalites).  These small, crude copper coins, sometimes called a Drachm or a unit, were minted between about 241 and 350AD. They are some of the last coins of the Kushano-Sasanians. They are modeled after the Sasanian silver Drachm, however are smaller, much cruder and made of copper.  One side features the bust of the king, the other features a Zoroastrian fire altar. 

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COINS OF KING ARTHUR? 

These small, ancient copper coins, called Barbarous Radiates, are found in hoards in England.  They are crude privately made, ancient copies of third century Roman coins.  They are not generally regarded as forgeries as they are smaller than the standard issues.  The designs are based on the Roman Antoninianus which features the emperor wearing a radiate crown.  Some sources attribute them to the Dark Ages or the Saxon period, a time when the legendary King Arthur is said to have ruled.  Other sources attribute them to the late third century, when Britain and Gaul were under the control of their own self-declared emperors. Either way they are fascinating ancient coins from ancient Britain.

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BEAUTIFUL ANCIENT SILVER COIN OF THE HIMYARITE KINGS OF ARABIA

The Himyarite Kingdom was centered in what is now Yemen.  It grew wealthy exporting frankincense and myrrh and trading ivory, which they exported from Africa and sold to the Roman Empire.  About 380AD the kingdom converted from polytheism to Judaism.  These 15mm convex silver half denarius depict a male's head facing right, with a monogram and a trident behind.  The reverse features a smaller head, an ornamented scepter and inscriptions.  The coins were minted from about 100 to 200AD.  Though struck in high relief, the coins show only minimal wear.  It is a scarce and attractive coin from a little-known ancient kingdom.

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ANCIENT SASANIAN SILVER DRACHM OF PEROZ

Peroz ruled the vast Sasanian Empire, which stretched from India to Turkey, between 457 and 484AD.  The name Peroz, means “The Victor”, though throughout much of his reign he was hardly victorious.  The early years of his reign was spent fighting with his brother over control of the Empire, whom he eventually defeated.  The country suffered from seven years of drought and famine starting in 464.  Some sources state that mighty Tigris and Euphrates rivers both dried up.  Wells dried up, crops failed and thousands died.  No sooner than the country recovered from the famine, than Peroz attacked the Hephthalite (White) Huns.  He suffered a crushing defeat, was captured, and forced to surrender his son as a hostage until a large ransom was paid.   In 481AD he was defeated by the Kushans.   The province of Armenia successfully revolted and was lost to the Empire.   He then again attacked the Huns, and was again defeated.  Peroz, along with much of his army, was slaughtered.   This silver Drachm of Peroz pictures the emperor wearing a winged helmet on one side.  The other side depicts two priests in front at a fire alter, an allusion to the official state Zoroastrian religion.

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ATTRACTIVE HIGH GRADE ANCIENT SASANIAN SILVER DRACHM OF KHUSRU II

This silver Drachm struck in the name of Sasanian Emperor Khusro II (Khusraw II, Khosrau II) is over 1300 years old, yet is in Almost Uncirculated condition.  Khusro II was the last great Sasanian Emperor before the Muslim conquest. He reigned from 591 to 628AD.  He was initially put on the throne by his uncles, who deposed, blinded then killed his father. An army commander however usurped the throne and defeated K Khusro in battle.  Khusro regained the throne with the help of Byzantine Emperor Maurice.  After appointing his uncles to high positions, he had one of them murdered.  The other escaped and led a seven-year revolt against Khusro until he was captured and killed.   Khusro attacked the Byzantine Empire after Maurice was murdered in 602AD.  That war lasted the rest of his reign.  Though Khusro was initially successful, the Byzantines eventually defeated the Sasanian forces.  In 628 Khusro’s son, Kavadh II revolted, captured and executed Khusro, along with most of his family.  Kavadh then made peace with Byzantines, giving them territory and paying an indemnity.  This attractive, high grade silver Drachm depicts Khusro on the obverse and a Zoroastrian fire altar with two attendants on the reverse.  The coin shows no or minimal wear, though is weakly struck in parts due to its thin planchet.  The coin is dated 628AD, the last year of his reign.  It was apparently struck in the Tajikistan region some 10 to 20 years following his death. It may have been struck due to a shortage of Drachms needed for the Silk Road trade.  At that time the Sasanian Empire was in its final death throes, beset by dynastic wars, the loss to the Byzantines, and the Muslim conquest.  The coin grades an amazing Almost Uncirculated.

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HIGH GRADE ABBASID PROVINCIAL SILVER 1/2 DIRHAM OF TABARISTAN

Tabaristan is a region on the southern coast of the Caspian Sea in what is now Iran.  It was one of the last parts of Persia to fall to the Muslim conquest due to natural barriers including high mountains, numerous rivers, swamps and dense forests as well resistive population.  Even after it fell to the Abbasid Caliphate it was virtually independent and had its own distinctive, non-Muslim style coinage until about 793AD. The coins were silver 1/2 Dirhams based on the Sassanian Dirham.  The obverse featured a crowned Sassanian style bust.  The reverse features a Zoroastrian fire altar flanked by two attendants.  The coins are about 23mm in diameter, are well struck, and have little or no wear.  It is an unusual transitional coin struck by the Muslim Abbasids but retaining the design of the earlier Zoroastrian Sassanian coinage.

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THE DISASTROUS REIGN OF WANG MANG 

Wang Mang arranged to have himself appointed regent for the young Han Emperor in 7AD. Two years later he killed the boy and usurped the throne.  He attempted major reforms of China's economy, many of which were attempted by the communists in the 1950's, These included  the abolition of slavery, introduction of an income tax, redistribution of the land, institution of price controls, and confiscation of gold.  He demonetized existing coins and instituted new ones based on an unbacked fiat coinage. Despite the execution and exile of thousands, the reforms were not accepted. The economy collapsed; there were widespread general strikes and massive starvation. In 23AD Wang was slain, his "reforms" were abolished and the Han dynasty restored.  He attempted to abolish the popular Wu-Ch'u coin which had been in circulation for over a century.  He made multiple attempts to force the introduction of his own coins as part of his monetary reforms, however, his coins were widely rejected.   His final attempt at new coins was the introduction of the Hou Ch'uan coin in 14AD.  It too was poorly accepted. The coin remained in use until after his death, when the Wu Ch’u was restored as the standard circulating coin of China.

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FAMOUS K'AI YUAN COIN OF THE TANG DYNASTY 

The K'ai Yuan coin was introduced by Chinese Emperor Kao Tsu, who founded the Tang Dyansty in 618AD.  The coins replaced the previously used Wu-Chu and other coins.  The high quality of the coins and excellent calligraphy set a standard for Chinese coins for the next 1000 years!   The legend on the coin, K'ai Yuan Tung Pao translates as "precious currency of the K'ai Yuan era".   The Tang Dynasty was a brilliant period in Chinese history.  It was an era of great prosperity and artistry.   The K'ai Yuan coin continued to be issued for the next 300 years, until the collapse of the Dynasty in 907AD.   During much of the dynasty the coin was the only denomination struck.  Because of the relatively low value of the coin and the high level of commerce a LOT of the coins were issued during that period. (Think of doing all your transactions with only pennies!)   As a result the coin, though over 1000 years old, is still plentiful and inexpensive.

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MEDIEVAL SILVER COINS OF THE HABBARID AMIRS OF SINDH 

Sindh (Sind) is located in what is now the south-eastern portion of Pakistan.  The Habbaris were Arab traders and merchants that settled in Sindh in pre-Islamic times.  Despite living in India for hundreds of years and marrying locals, they maintained their Arab identity, language and customs.  By the mid 9th century AD they were able to assert control over Sindh, paying only nominal allegiance to the Abbasid Caliph. The coinage of the Habbarids of Sind (also known as the Amirs of Sindh) consisted of  small (10 to 11mm) silver Dammas (Dhammas) that feature Arabic inscriptions on both sides.  In 1026 Ghaznavid Sultan Mahmud conquered Sindh.  We are pleased to offer silver Dammas of two of the Habbarid sultans of Sindh.  Abdallah I, who ruled from about 884 to 913AD, and Ali, who ruled from about 973 to 987AD

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FORMER SLAVE FOUNDS GHAZNAVID DYNASTY

At its peak the Ghaznavids controlled a vast central Asian empire that included Afghanistan, Pakistan, northern India as well as parts of Iran and Turkmenistan.  The founder of the dynasty was Sabuktekin (Sabuktigin).  In his youth he was captured in a tribal war and sold as a slave.  He was eventually purchased by Alptigin, the governor of Ghazna, who so recognized his potential.  He later married the Alptgin's daughter.   In 977 he became governor of Ghazna, which became a semi-independent kingdom within the Samanid Empire.  He expanded his kingdom, conquering much of which is now Afghanistan.  He died in 997 after becoming sick on a military campaign.  His son Mahmud, declared full independence and further expanded the territory.  This silver dirham of Sabuktigin was struck at Farwan in Afghanistan.  One side cites the Shada (There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his messenger).  The other side acknowledges his Samanid overlord and the Abbasid Caliph.  The silver coin is approximately 17mm.

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THE FAMOUS BULL & HORSEMAN JITAL

The Bull and Horseman Jital was introduced by the Hindu Kings in Kabul and Ohind (now Afghanistan and Pakistan) in the 9th century.  One side featured a humped bull.  The other side a man on a horse holding a lance.  The coins became the standard for much of Afghanistan and northern India.  It continued to be struck for hundreds of years by neighboring and successive kingdoms. It gradually become cruder and more debased as each generation would copy the design from coins found in circulation.  These Bull and Horseman Jitals date from around the 10th to 11th century.  They are made of debased silver and feature crude line drawings of the bull and horseman.  I do not have the time or patience to do an exact attribution so am letting them go cheap.

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MEDIEVALCOIN OF THE SULTANATE OF JAUNPUR  

Jaunpur was a powerful Sultanate in north-central India. Jaunpur was established in 1349 by the Sultan of Delhi who later appointed his daughter's lover the governor.   In 1393 the governor declared independence.  Jaunpur reached its peak under Ibrahim Shah, who reigned from 1402 to 1440.  He attacked but was unable to conquer Delhi to the west. His war with the Bengal Sultanate to the east was only ended after diplomatic pressure from the Ming Empire of China and Timurid Empire.  Ibrahim Shah was a patron of Islamic learning and established a number of colleges which produced many scholarly works on Islamic theology.  In 1480 Jaunpur was conquered by Delhi, bringing an end to the Sultanate.

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ATTRACTIVE SILVER DENAR OF BELA II THE BLIND OF HUNGARY

Bela was blinded as a small boy on the orders of his uncle, King Colman.  He narrowly escaped the castration that was also ordered.  He was hidden in a monastery and believed dead.  After the death of his uncle, he came out of hiding.  Following a struggle for power he established himself as the King of Hungary.  In the second half of Bela’s reign, Hungary adopted an active foreign policy, taking Bosnia and Split.      Bela later became a drunkard.  His courtiers took advantage of his drunkenness to receive grants from him or have him order the execution of their rivals.  Bela died in 1141 at age 32.  The silver Denar of Bela II has a cross within a circle on both sides of the coin.  The coin is about 12mm in diameter it is remarkably well struck for a medieval coin and shows virtually no wear.

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RICHARD THE LIONHEART

Richard the Lionheart was the King of England, Duke of Normandy, Aquitaine and Gascony and Lord of Cyprus. Though he was born in England he disliked the country and spent less than six months there throughout his entire reign.  He regarded it as little more than a source of tax revenue. Most of his reign was spent in France, on Crusade or as a prisoner of Holy Roman Emperor Henry VI who held him for ransom while he was attempting to return home from the Third Crusade.  Richard's knightly prowess made him a popular king and the subject of legends. During the Third Crusade he occupied Sicily and captured Cyprus with the aid of Levon of Armenia before arriving in the Holy Land in 1191. He sold Cyprus to the Knights Templar   In 1199 Richard died after being wounded while laying siege to a castle in an effort to get a hoard of gold that had been found by a peasant.  Richard’s coins from England are very scarce and pricy.  This Anglo-Gallic silver Denier of Richard the Lionheart is much more reasonable.  The coin has a simple design. One side has his name on it “RICA / DIUS” while the other has a cross and the name of the mint (Aquitaine or Poitou).  As is typical of coins of that era, it is crudely engraved and weakly struck.

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CRUSADER COIN OF BOHEMOND THE CHILD

Bohemond III of the Crusader Principality of Antioch, also known as Bohemond the Child and Bohemond the Stammerer, ascended to the throne in 1163.  He then exiled his mother who had served as his regent since he was age one. .In 1180 he deserted his wife in favor of Sibyl, who may have been a spy for Saladin  This led to an escalating stuggle with the Church. Bohemond was excommunicated. In retaliation he confiscated the church's property, which led to an Antioch placed under interdict, which then led to armed conflicts.  The conflict was partially solved through mediation and the leaders of the opposition fled to Cilician Armenia.  In 1185 he invited the king Roupen III of Cilician Armenia to a banquet but imprisoned him instead.  He then invaded Cilician Armenia.  A peace treaty was signed which released the Roupen in return for a large ransom, Roupon acknowledging Bohemond's suzerainty and giving Bohemond territory.  Upon his release Roupon promptly recaptured the territory. In 1194 Cilician Armenian King Levon I (Leo)  invited Bohemond to negotiate over a castle Leo had captured, but instead took Bohemond prisoner. Bohemond was released after giving up claims on Armenia.  Bohemond was involved in the disputes over the dynastic succession of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem, which led to Saladin's capture of Jerusalem in 1187. In 1188 Saladin captured much of northern Syria, and forced surrender of fortresses of the Knights Templar.  Bohemond pleaded for a truce, which Saladin granted, but left him only with his capital and its port.  The Third Crusade was called in 1189 in an attempt to recapture Jerusalem.  During the Crusade Bohemond twice met with Richard the Lionheart, but did not provide any military assistance to the Crusaders.  Upon Bohemond's death in 1201, a series of wars broke out among his successors over control of his territory. This was not resolved until 1219.  The obverse of this silver Denier of Antioch a crude portrait of Bohemond III wearing a helmet and chain mail.  A crescent moon is to the left and a star to the right. The reverse features a cross and a crescent.   It is an historic coin from what was an important Crusader kingdom.

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FIRST SILVER COIN OF MEDIEVAL ARMENIA

About 1198 Levon I (also called Leo II, Leon II and Levon the Magnificant) was crowned as the first king of Cilcian Armenia.  He had ruled the territory as Lord of Armenia since 1187, after his brother was captured by Bohemond III of Antioch and retired to a monastery. As king he had the privilege of issuing the first Armenian coins since ancient times.  He established a powerful Christian kingdom and was a strong supporter of the Third Crusade. He had numerous intrigues and conflicts with Bohemond III of Antioch, at one point taking him and his family prisoner after inviting them to castle. He was later involved in the War of the Antiochene Succession after Bohemond's death.  He joined Richard the Lion Heart in the conquest of Cyprus and was actively involved in the numerous political plots and intrigues of the Crusader kingdoms and neighboring kingdoms.  These crude silver Trams are approximately 22mm in diameter.  One side pictures King Levon seated upon his throne.  The reverse shows a lion and leopard with a cross.  It is an historic Armenian coin with a close connection to the Crusades. 

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SILVER COINS OF THE SLAVE KINGS OF THE HOLY LAND

The Bahri Mamluks ruled Egypt, Syria and the Holy Land from 1250 to 1382.  The Mamluks were slaves purchased as boys from Russia, converted to Islam and trained to be warriors.  In 1250 Mamluk slaves overthrew their masters, the Ayyubids, and established the Bahri Mamluk dynasty with its capital in Cairo.  They continued to import Mamluk slaves to serve in their military.  The Sultan was supposed to be selected from the ranks of the Mamluk slaves, so the Sultan would also have been slave!  Thus, the Mamluks are known as the "Slave-Kings".  Mamluks were not supposed to be able to inherit wealth or power, but many attempted to do so, resulting in brutal and bloody quests for power among various factions competing for supremacy.  Mamluk Sultans rarely died a natural death. 
Baybars was a brilliant military leader.  He helped defeat the Seventh Crusade under Louis IX of France in 1250, then in 1260 he gave the Mongol armies their first substantial defeat and turned back the Mongol conquests of the Middle East.  Shortly after that the Mamluk Sultan was assassinated and Baybars proclaimed himself Sultan. As sultan, he engaged in a combination of military action and diplomacy, greatly expand the Mamluk empire.  He died in 1277, possibly from accidentally drinking a poisoned alcoholic beverage he intended for a rival.  These silver Dirhams of Baybars, like most Mamluk coins, is crude, often with large weakly struck areas. In addition to inscriptions, most have a crude depiction of a lion at the bottom of the obverse.
Mamluk power and culture reached its zenith under Al-Nasir Muhammad I. He served three reigns as Sultan.  He was the son of a Mamluk Sultan, rather than a Mamluk slave.  He was first made Sultan in 1293. He was only 8 years old, so was controlled by others.  He was deposed the following year in a palace revolt.  In 1299 the reigning sultan was murdered and Muhammad was again placed on the throne, again under the control of others.  He fled the palace in 1309 rather than continue to submit to authority of others.  After the population of Cairo forced his unpopular successor to flee, he reclaimed his throne.  He ruthlessly cracked down on corruption and those he infringed on his power.  He also engaged in major public works projects including rebuilding an ancient canal connecting Alexandria with the Nile and building or rebuilding many mosques, schools and public baths.  We have factional silver Dirhams struck during Muhammad's third reign from 1310 to 1341. The small, irregularly shaped coins were struck using dies for the much larger 1 Dirham coin, so most of the design is off the flan.
In the year following the death of Muhammed in June 1341 there were three Mamuk sultans, two of which were murdered and the third deposed as various factions vied for control. In June 1342 As-Salih Isma'il, a son of Muhammad and one of his concubines became Sultan.  He was a pious ruler that brought some political stability to the Mamluk empire before he died of an illness in 1345. The Silver Dirhams of Isma'il, like other Mamluk Dirhams, have Arabic inscriptions on both sides and are weakly struck.

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CHRIST FEATURED ON SILVER GROSH OF THE LAST MEDIEVAL KING OF BULGARIA

Ivan Sratsimir was the last king of the medieval Bulgarian Kingdom.  He reigned from the city of Vidin from 1356, until he was captured and killed by the Ottoman Turks in 1396.   One side of this 16mm silver Grosch depicts the bust of Christ, blessing with his right hand and holding the Gospel in his left.  To his right and left is the Christogram "IC – XC".  The other side depicts the king seated on his throne holding a scepter in his right hand.  The coin shows little if any wear, but is rather crudely struck. 

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MEDIEVAL VENETIAN SILVER COIN DEPICTS CHRIST & ST. MARK

This silver Grosso was issued for Antonio Venier who was Doge of the Venetian Republic from 1382 until his death in 1400.  Under his rule Venice acquired numerous Mediterranean islands, including Corfu and most of Cyclades and Dodecanese. He became renowned for his sense of justice after allowing his own son to die in prison for his crimes.  One side of the coin depicts Jesus Christ seated upon a throne.  The other side shows St. Mark, the patron saint of Venice, handing the doge a banner. 

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BISHOPRIC OF DORPAT

The Bishopric of Dorpat (now Tartu) was a prince-bishopric that once controlled much of what is now south-eastern Estonia. It was an important Hanseatic trade center.  This small (about 12mm) silver 1 Lubische (late called 1 Pfennig) was issued by the Bishops of Dorpat between 1379 and 1441.  During this period the Bishopric was in conflict with the Knights of the Livonian Order who controlled adjacent territories. Both sides of the coin depict the arms of the Bishopric which consists of a crossed key and sword.  The Dorpat Cathedral, the seat of the Bishop, was once one of the largest religious structures in Eastern Europe.  It was heavily damaged in the 1520's during the Protestant Reformation and was abandoned after the last Bishop was deported to Russia in 1558.  Ruins of the once grand cathedral are now part of the grounds of the University of Tartu. The coin is a reminder of a once powerful but now extinct Bishopric.

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FRIEDRICH THE IRONTOOTH OF BRANDENBURG

This silver Bracteate Hohlpfennig was issued by Friedrich II (Frederick II) who was the Prince-Elector of the Margravate of Brandenburg from 1440 to 1470. It is believed that he was nicknamed "The Irontooth" or "The Iron" due to his great strength and power.  Friedrich strengthened Brandenburg forming the basis of what was to become Prussia and the German Empire.  The rights of the towns and nobility were curtailed and he regained Neumark (East Brandenburg) from the Teutonic Knights.  The citizens of Berlin revolted when he attempted to build a palace on Colin island in the Spree river.  Friedrich prevailed, built the castle that became the Stadtschloss (Berlin Palace), and the rights of the city were greatly curtailed. The Stadtschloss was torn down by East Germany in the 1950's and is now being rebuilt.  The silver Bracteate Hohlpfennig is an extremely thin and single sided coin wtih a raised rim.  The design is embossed from the reverse.  This coin is approximately 16mm in diameter and features an eagle with outstretched wings.  Because the coins are so thin and fragile, few survive today.

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MEDIEVAL CITY COINS OF THE MARGARVIATE OF BRANDENBURG

These medieval city Hohlpfennigs were issued during the reign of Friedrich II Irontooth, who was Prince-elector of the Margraviate of Brandenburg from 1440 to 1470.  A Hohlpfennig is a thin silver coin, about 16mm in diameter with a raised rim. The coin design is embossed on one side and incuse on the other. They were widely used in Northern Germany in the late Middle Ages.  The coins depict the arms of the city in which they were struck. The coin from Stendal depicts half an eagle on the left and four diamonds on the right.  Stendal is located about 78 miles (125km) west of Berlin. It the joined Hanseatic League in 1358 and purchased the privilege of minting from the Brandenburg margraves in 1369.  In 1456 Friedrich II founded a convent for Augustinian nuns in the city, which today is a museum.  The Hohlpfennig from Frankfurt an der Oder features a plumed knight's helmet. Frankfurt (Oder) is located about 50 miles (80km.) east of Berlin on the Oder river on what is now the German-Polish border.  It was founded as a Polish town.  In 1249 it became part of the Margraviate of Brandenburg,  The knight's helmet design makes this one of the more interesting Hohlpfennigs.

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SILVER COIN OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE

The Ottoman Empire was a vast, rich, powerful empire that at its peak spanned three continents, including much of southern Europe, western Asia and north Africa. It was founded at the end of the 13th century in what is now Turkey, and lasted until 1922. Its early coinage consisted primarily of small, poorly struck silver coins.  We are pleased to offer some of the coins of some of the Ottoman's most important early Sultans. Because the coins were produced in large quantities and have not been widely collected, they are still quite reasonably priced. 
 and the Karamanids.  In 1450 he led his army into Albania but fell ill and died. This silver Akce of Murad is dated AH825 (1421 AD). It was minted at Serez, which is now Serres in Macedonia. The coin is about 11 to 14mm in diameter.  
Suleiman the Magnificent (Suleyman I) ruled the Ottoman Empire from 1520 to 1566.  During his long reign he greatly expanded his empire, conquering much of the Middle East, North Africa, most of Hungary and laid siege to Vienna twice.  He instituted major reforms in education, taxation and criminal law.  He was an accomplished poet, goldsmith and patron of the arts.    This silver Medini (3 Akces) of Suleiman was struck at the Amid mint, in what is now Diyabakir in Turkey. Diyabakir, located on the Tigris River is considered the "un-proclaimed capital of so-called Turkish Kurdistan".  The silver coin is approximately 13mm in diameter and is dated AH926 (1520AD).  It is an historic coin of an historic monarch.

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SILVER DENAR OF TRANSYLVANIA

This silver Dener of Transylvania was struck for Gabriel Bethlen. Bethlen became the Prince Transylvania in 1613 with support from the Ottoman Empire.  His reign marked the start of a golden age for Transylvania.  He developed mines and industry, founded a college and supported the arts. He nationalized much of the foreign trade, profits of which helped support his many programs.  He was Calvinist, and waged three wars against the Catholic Hapsburgs.  In 1620 he was elected King of Hungary.  After a string of military defeats by Hapsburg forces, he renounced the title in 1621 in return for guarantees of religious freedom for Hungarian Protestants..  The obverse depicts the Madonna and Child.   The reverse has the arms of Hungary.  The slightly irregular coin is approximately 13mm.  The coin is dated 1621 and were struck at  the Kremnica Mint (KB) and show virtually no wear. 

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ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL COIN SPECIAL  

A selection of four different identified ancient and medieval coins, including at least one silver coin.   The coins are from Europe, India and Central Asia.  This was one of my best sellers for almost 50 years.   Each coin is identified in its own envelope.  Coins grade About Good to Very Fine.  Multiple lots will most likely contain the same coins.

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ALSO SEE:

ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL COINS OF AFGHANISTAN

ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL COINS OF INDIA and  PAKISTAN

MEDIEVAL COINS OF THE MIDDLE EAST

ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL CHINESE COINS

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scale with which to judge image sizes

All items are guaranteed to be genuine, unless clearly indicated otherwise.
NOTE:  All pictures are of a typical item taken from stock.  Because we have multiples of most items, the item you receive may not look exactly the same, however it will be as described.

Please add postage.  California residents include 8.75% sales tax.  3-week return privileges.
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Joel Anderson
PO Box 365
Grover Beach, CA 93483-0365
USA

Phone: 1 805 489 8045 | Fax: 1 805 299 1818
Email: orders@joelscoins.com

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