1 Grosso - Francesco Dandolo - "Matapano"

Features

Issuer Republic of Venice (Italian States)
Doge Francesco Dandolo (1328-1339)
Type Standard circulation coin
Years 1329-1339
Value 1 Grosso = 32 Denari (2⁄15)
Currency Lira (1156-1471)
Composition Silver (.965)
Weight 2.17 g
Diameter 21 mm
Shape Round (irregular)
Technique Hammered
Orientation Coin alignment ↑↓
Demonetized Yes
Number
N#
94904

Obverse

St. Mark and the Doge standing facing, holding pendant flag between them, D / V / X in center field

Lettering: FRA . DANDVLO S . M . VENETI .

Reverse

Christ, nimbate, enthroned facing, holding book of Gospels

Lettering: IC | XC

Edge

Plain

Comments

FRANCESCO DANDOLO
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francesco_Dandolo

The Grosso in Venice
The earliest surviving account of Enrico Dandolo’s introduction of the Venetian grosso associates it with the outfitting of the Fourth Crusade in 1202 and tradition makes the need to pay for the ships which transported the crusaders the cause of the grosso’s introduction. Even though coinage of the grosso might have begun a few years earlier, the influx of silver used to pay for the crusaders’ ships led to its first large scale mintage. The coin had 2.2 grams of 98.5% fine silver, the purest medieval metallurgy could make. It was initially called a ducatus argenti since Venice was a duchy, but is more widely known as a grosso or matapano, a Muslim term referring to the seated figure on its reverse.
The designs for the grosso came from the doge’s seal and the Byzantine aspron trachy. The obverse shows the standing figures of the doge and Saint Mark the Evangelist, the patron of Venice. On the right, Saint Mark holds the gospel, which is his usual attribute, and presents a Gonfalone to the doge. The doge holds the “ducal promise” ... The legend names the doge on the left, with his title, DVX in the field. The legend on the right names the saint as S. M. VENETI, i.e. Saint Mark of Venice. The reverse shows Christ facing, sitting on a throne. The legend abbreviates his Greek name as, IC XC...A beaded bordure on both sides of the coin prevented silver from being shaved from the edge of the coin...In 1332, 1 grosso was the equivalent of 4 soldini, or 48 dinarii.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venetian_grosso

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Date VG F VF XF AU UNC
ND (1329-1339)  Photo $ 43 Paolucci 27.2

Values in the table above are expressed in USD. They are based on evaluations by Numista users and sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only; they are not intended to be relied upon for buying, selling or exchanging. Numista does not buy or sell coins or banknotes.

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Numista Rarity index: 85 Search tips
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.

Bullion value: USD 1.68 Search tips
This value is given for information purpose only. It is based on a price of silver at 803 USD/kg. Numista does not buy or sell coins or metal.

Past sales

Pictures Sale Date Grade Sold price
Picture 1 of a sold 1 Grosso - Francesco Dandolo - "Matapano"
Roma Numismatics
E-Sale 92
Lot 1276
Internet Archive
16 Dec 2021 XF USD 56.76
(GBP 45.00)
(+ buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 1 Grosso - Francesco Dandolo - "Matapano"
Katz
Auction 82
Lot 2325
Internet Archive
13 May 2023 VF USD 21.57
(EUR 20.00)
(+ buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 1 Grosso - Francesco Dandolo - "Matapano"
Leu Numismatik
Web Auction 17
Lot 3795
Internet Archive
14 Aug 2021 VF USD 94.26
(CHF 85.00)
(+ buyer's premium)
See the sales

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