You are purchasing 3x genuine Italian Medieval coins randomly selected from the lot pictured. Most are Denarius of the Italian City States Lucca and Venice minted between 900-1200 AD. With other Medieval silver coins from other empires mixed in.
All coins are in fine to very fine condition and can be easily attributed.
These are guaranteed genuine with a money-back guarantee. Happy to provide Provenance.
During 900-1200 AD, Italy was a complex region with various city-states and regions that played a significant role in the Crusades and their associated coinage. Two prominent city-states in Italy during this time were Lucca and Venice, both of which had unique coinage systems and participated in the broader historical events of the Crusader states.
Lucca: Lucca was a city-state located in modern-day Tuscany, Italy. It played a minor role in the Crusades compared to other Italian city-states, but it did engage in trade and economic activities with the Crusader states in the Eastern Mediterranean. Lucca issued its own coinage during this period, primarily consisting of silver denarii and small silver coins. These coins often featured religious or heraldic designs, reflecting the influence of the Church and the local nobility. Lucca's coinage might not have directly depicted Crusader themes, but it was influenced by the economic and political interactions of the time.
Venice: Venice was a major maritime power during the medieval period and significantly impacted the Crusader states, particularly due to its role in trade and naval activities in the Eastern Mediterranean. Venice participated in the Fourth Crusade, which resulted in the sacking of Constantinople in 1204. The city's coinage during this period was important for facilitating trade and reflecting its growing influence.
Venetian coinage during the Crusader period included various denominations such as ducats, zecchini, and hyperpyra. The Venetian ducat, a gold coin, became one of the most widely accepted currencies in the Mediterranean due to its consistent gold content and quality. The designs on Venetian coins often featured the city's patron saint, Saint Mark, as well as the city's iconic symbols, such as the Winged Lion of Saint Mark. While not directly depicting Crusader themes, Venetian coinage played a crucial role in the economic transactions that supported the Crusades and the Crusader states.
Throughout the 10th to 12th centuries, Italy's city-states, including Lucca and Venice, were engaged in trade, diplomacy, and occasionally military campaigns in the Crusader states and the broader Eastern Mediterranean. Their coinage systems reflected their economic activities, political relationships, and religious affiliations, contributing to the intricate tapestry of the Crusader period.
