Venice (1229-49) grosso
This specimen was lot 1002 in Jean Elsen sale 144 (Brussels, March 2020), where it sold for €110 (about US$146 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, VENISE, Iacopo Tiepolo (1229-1249), AR grosso. D/ Saint Marc remettant un étendard au doge. R/ Le Christ trônant de f. Belle patine. Très Beau à Superbe. (Italy, republic of Venice, Jacob Tiepolo, 1229-49, silver grosso. Obverse: St. Mark gives a standard to the doge; reverse: Christ facing, enthroned. Nice patina, Very Fine - Extremely Fine.)"
The standard coin of the Middle Ages was the silver penny, derived from the Roman denarius (dinero in Italian). Centuries of debasement had rendered it useless for commercial transactions, so in the thirteenth century the Italian merchant states (especially Venice) introduced the grosso, worth twelve dineri. This spread over Europe and became the gros Tournois (France), groat (England), groschen (Germany) and groot (Low Countries). At this time, one grosso equalled 26 denari.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 2.2 g, 0.965 fine, this specimen 2,06 g.
Catalog reference: Pap. 98, 1; Paolucci 17, 1; Biaggi 2769.
- Rafaele Paolucci, La Zecca di Venezia, 2 vols. Padua, 1991.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 144, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2020.
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