Stamenon - Despot Dobrotitza

Features

Issuer Despotate of Dobruja (Bulgaria)
Type Standard circulation coin
Years 1348-1386
Value Stamenon
Composition Copper
Weight 1.1 g
Diameter 17 mm
Shape Round (irregular)
Technique Hammered
Orientation Coin alignment ↑↓
Demonetized Yes
Number
N#
183620

Obverse

Title and Bust of Despot Dobrotitza with a beard

Lettering: DESPOTOU

Reverse

Name of ruler

Lettering: IOANNOU TOU TOUMPROTITZAS

Edge

Rough

Comments



Among the Romanian numismatists which treated this subject, Ernest Oberlander-Tarnoveanu has many valuable contributions, such as this reference article (in Romanian...): "Un tezaur de monede feudale dobrogene din secolul al XIV-lea descoperit la Cernavoda (jud. Constanta)" ("A Hoard of Medieval Dobroudjan Coins from the 14th Century Discovered at Cernavoda, Constanta County"), in CERCETARI NUMISMATICE, VI, Bucharest, 1990, p.85-103. For Dristra mint identification, Oberlander mentioned Iv. Yordanov, "Monetosecenie na balgarski vladeteli v Dobrudza" in Srednovekovna Balgarija i Cernomorieto (Sbornik dokladi ot naucnata konferencija, Varna, 1980). The coins of this particular type were first published by N. Musmov, "Novi moneti na Ivan Aleksandar kato despot", in IBID, 19, 1937, p.117, but he considered them as "despotal" coins of Ivan Alexander, struck at Lovec before 1331. Later, T. Gerasimov, IAI, Sofia, 13, 1939, p. 287-296, attribute these coins to Ivanco, the last despot of Cavarna Despotate (between 1386-1388).

Technical details: these coins have been struck with fixed dies (Byzantine minting technique), so the relative position of obverse/reverse dies is constantly 0 or 180 degrees (180 on this particular coin); they were struck on laminated bronze sheets and then cut with scizzors, so generally the flan has polygonal shape; often overstruck on earlier coins of the same kind; the weight varies between 0.5-2.9g, with 3 grouping sequences at 1.00g, 1.25g and 1.75g. Regarding area of circulation, these find spots were mentioned by Ernest Oberlander-Tarnoveanu in 1990: in Bulgaria-Silistra, Varna, Caliacra, Sumen, Turnovo, Krusare, Starmen, in Romania-Pacuiul lui Soare, Cernavoda, Coconi, Targsor, Cetateni.

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Date VG F VF XF AU UNC
ND (1348-1386)  Dristra/Drester/Silistra mint

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This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.

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