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Medieval Venetian Tornesello Coin

  • Description

Venetian Tornesello coin, circa 1368-1423 CE, bezel set in a sterling Silver Pendant mounting with Garnet cabochon accents. The Obverse of the coin features the same cross design seen on the Frankish denier tournois within a lenged of the doge's name. The Reverse depicts the lion of saint mark, symbol of Venice, seated with a book and surrounded by a cicle and the legend VEXILIFER VENECIARVM, "standard bearer of Venice," thus representing in words the city's banner, which appeared on all high denomination Venetian coins.

Torneselli were all minted in Venice, at the mint building in San Marco, where other silver coins were also struck. The dies were engraved by hand. The alloy specified in the original authorization was eight parts copper to one part silver. It is apparent that the tornesello was intended as a replacement for the Frankish denier tournois whose minting had ceased bu 1350 CE. The new coinage was specifically designated as being for the Venetian colonies of Coron, Modon, Negroponte and Crete.

Dimensions; 7/8" wide, 1-1/4" drop

SKU:

H-RB40-B

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