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BOHEMIA, DUCHY - VLADISLAV I, FIRST REIGN, 1109-1117 - Denar n.d., Prague
weight 0,64gr. ; silver Ø 16mm.
obv. Duke Vladislav standing facing, holding banner in right hand and resting
his left on shield within circle. In outside circle the legend; (+ DVX • VVLADISLAVS)
rev. Two male figures sitting opposite each other, within circle.
In outside circle the legend; (SCS • VVENCEZLAVS)
Vladislav (Vladislaus/Wladislaus) I was born circa 1065 as a son of Vratislaus II of Bohemia by his second wife Svatava, a daughter of Casimir I of Poland. Together with his cousin Svatopluk, Vladislav expelled his brother Bořivoj II from Bohemia in 1107. In 1109, Svatopluk was killed during a campaign in Poland, and Vladislav I succeeded him as Duke of Bohemia. Bořivoj II returned from exile with the support of Prince Bolesław III Wrymouth of Poland, but was defeated and imprisoned by Vladislav in 1110. In spite of his victory, Vladislav I remained under Polish pressure and was forced to recognize a younger brother, Soběslav, as subordinate ruler of Moravia in Znojmo. In 1117, Vladislav I formally abdicated in favor of Bořivoj II, but retained much of the actual power. In 1120, Bořivoj was deposed again and endowed with Znojmo, while Vladislav resumed the throne, which he held until his death in 1125.
Cach 532var. ; Donebauer -- ; Marquis von Hohenkubin collection,
Lanz - Graz, Auction 13 (1979), -- ; Šmerda -- RR
Weakly struck at the edge and minor traces of oxidation. Very rare.
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BOHEMIA, DUCHY - VLADISLAV I, FIRST REIGN, 1109-1117 - Denar n.d., Prague
weight 0,85gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.
obv. Buste of Saint Wenceslaus facing, holding spear in right hand and
book of gospels in left, within circle, surrounded by the legend;
✠ SCS • VVENCEZLAVS
rev. Duke Vladislav on throne with sword, laying his right hand
on kneeling person, within circle, surrounded by the legend;
✠ DVX • VVLADISLAVS
Vladislav (Vladislaus/Wladislaus) I was born circa 1065 as a son of Vratislaus II of Bohemia by his second wife Svatava, a daughter of Casimir I of Poland. Together with his cousin Svatopluk, Vladislav expelled his brother Bořivoj II from Bohemia in 1107. In 1109, Svatopluk was killed during a campaign in Poland, and Vladislav I succeeded him as Duke of Bohemia. Bořivoj II returned from exile with the support of Prince Bolesław III Wrymouth of Poland, but was defeated and imprisoned by Vladislav in 1110. In spite of his victory, Vladislav I remained under Polish pressure and was forced to recognize a younger brother, Soběslav, as subordinate ruler of Moravia in Znojmo. In 1117, Vladislav I formally abdicated in favor of Bořivoj II, but retained much of the actual power. In 1120, Bořivoj was deposed again and endowed with Znojmo, while Vladislav resumed the throne, which he held until his death in 1125.
Saint Wenceslaus;
Wenceslaus I was born circa 907 as the son of Vratislaus I, Duke of Bohemia from the Přemyslid dynasty. Wenceslas I or Václav the Good was the Duke (kníže) of Bohemia from 921 until his death, probably in 935. According to the legend, he was assassinated by his younger brother, Boleslaus the Cruel. Wenceslaus was considered a martyr and saint immediately after his death, when a cult of Wenceslaus grew up in Bohemia and in England. Within a few decades, four biographies of him were in circulation. These hagiographies had a powerful influence on the High Middle Ages concept of the rex justus (righteous king), a monarch whose power stems mainly from his great piety as well as his princely vigor. Although Wenceslaus was only a duke during his lifetime, Holy Roman Emperor Otto I (962-973) posthumously ″conferred on Wenceslaus the regal dignity and title″, which is why he is referred to as ″king″ in legend and song. The hymn ″Svatý Václave″ (Saint Wenceslaus) or ″Saint Wenceslas Chorale″ is one of the oldest known Czech songs. Traceable to the 12th century AD, it is still among the most popular religious songs in the Bohemian lands. Wenceslaus′s feast day is celebrated on 28 September. On this day, celebrations and a pilgrimage are held in the city of Stará Boleslav, whereas the translation of his relics, which took place in 938, is commemorated on 4 March. Since 2000, the 28 September feast day has been a public holiday in the Czech Republic, celebrated as Czech Statehood Day.
Cach 543 ; Donebauer 447var. ; Marquis von Hohenkubin collection,
Lanz - Graz, Auction 13 (1979), no. 361var. ; Šmerda 192 R
Weakly struck near the edge,but very
attractive specimen with fine details. Rare
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BOHEMIA, DUCHY - VLADISLAV I, FIRST REIGN, 1109-1117 - Denar n.d., Prague
weight 0,56gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.
obv. Duke Vladislav seated facing on throne, holding sword in right hand and resting
his left on shield within dotted circle. In outside circle the legend; (+ DVX • ) VVLADISLAVS
rev. Sts. Wenceslaus and Adalbert standing facing within dotted circle.
In outside circle the legend; + S • VVENCEZLAVS • F • ADALBERTVS
Vladislav (Vladislaus/Wladislaus) I was born circa 1065 as a son of Vratislaus II of Bohemia by his second wife Svatava, a daughter of Casimir I of Poland. Together with his cousin Svatopluk, Vladislav expelled his brother Bořivoj II from Bohemia in 1107. In 1109, Svatopluk was killed during a campaign in Poland, and Vladislav I succeeded him as Duke of Bohemia. Bořivoj II returned from exile with the support of Prince Bolesław III Wrymouth of Poland, but was defeated and imprisoned by Vladislav in 1110. In spite of his victory, Vladislav I remained under Polish pressure and was forced to recognize a younger brother, Soběslav, as subordinate ruler of Moravia in Znojmo. In 1117, Vladislav I formally abdicated in favor of Bořivoj II, but retained much of the actual power. In 1120, Bořivoj was deposed again and endowed with Znojmo, while Vladislav resumed the throne, which he held until his death in 1125.
Saint Wenceslaus;
Wenceslaus I was born circa 907 as the son of Vratislaus I, Duke of Bohemia from the Přemyslid dynasty. Wenceslas I or Václav the Good was the Duke (kníže) of Bohemia from 921 until his death, probably in 935. According to the legend, he was assassinated by his younger brother, Boleslaus the Cruel. Wenceslaus was considered a martyr and saint immediately after his death, when a cult of Wenceslaus grew up in Bohemia and in England. Within a few decades, four biographies of him were in circulation. These hagiographies had a powerful influence on the High Middle Ages concept of the rex justus (righteous king), a monarch whose power stems mainly from his great piety as well as his princely vigor. Although Wenceslaus was only a duke during his lifetime, Holy Roman Emperor Otto I (962-973) posthumously ″conferred on Wenceslaus the regal dignity and title″, which is why he is referred to as ″king″ in legend and song. The hymn ″Svatý Václave″ (Saint Wenceslaus) or ″Saint Wenceslas Chorale″ is one of the oldest known Czech songs. Traceable to the 12th century AD, it is still among the most popular religious songs in the Bohemian lands. Wenceslaus′s feast day is celebrated on 28 September. On this day, celebrations and a pilgrimage are held in the city of Stará Boleslav, whereas the translation of his relics, which took place in 938, is commemorated on 4 March. Since 2000, the 28 September feast day has been a public holiday in the Czech Republic, celebrated as Czech Statehood Day.
Saint Adalbert:
Saint Adalbert of Prague was a Bohemian missionary and Christian saint. He was the Bishop of Prague and a missionary to the Hungarians, Poles, and Prussians, who was martyred in his efforts to convert the Baltic Prussians to Christianity. He is said to be the composer of the oldest Czech hymn Hospodine, pomiluj ny and Bogurodzica, the oldest known Polish hymn, but his authorship of them has not been confirmed. Adalbert was later declared the patron saint of the Czech Republic, Poland, and the Duchy of Prussia. He is also the patron saint of the Archdiocese of Esztergom in Hungary.
Donebauer 442 ; Šmerda 196 R
Some weakness of strike. Rare.
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BULGARIA - IVAN ALEKSANDAR & MIKHAIL ASEN IV, 1331-1355 - Gros or matapan n.d.
weight 1,77gr, ; Ø 21mm.
obv. Christ with nimbus facing standing before throne,
both hands raised in benediction, IC - XC to left and right of nimbus,
to left monogram (АΛЕ = Alexander), to right monogram (ЦР = Tsar).
rev. Ivan Aleksandar and Mihail Asen IV standing facing, each holding
cross-tipped scepter, holding Christogram-tipped staff between them,
at the foot end on both sides star, in field to left monogram (БΛГВ),
in field to right monogram (МХА).
It is believed that this coin shows Ivan Alexander with his son and co-emperor Michael Asen IV. Since Michael died in 1355, this coin would be dated from 1331 (when Ivan ascended to the throne) to 1355.
Ratto 2679 ; Grierson CME 387 ; Yeoman 74 ; Mitchiner 2339 ;
cf. Raduchev & Zhekov-Tipo 1.13 ; cf. Youroukova & Penchev 72 ;
cf. Dochev, Katalog 2230/2240 (for similar obv./rev types)
struck with some weaknesses
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HUNGARY - KINGDOM - SALOMON, 1063-1074 - Denar n.d.
weight 0,58gr. ; silver Ø 17mm.
obv. Kneeling King Salomon facing, with raised hands,
surrounded by the legend; S - ALOM - ONI RE - X
rev. Cross within circle, wedges in the corners, surrounded
by the legend; PANNONENI - A (partly reversed)
Salomon or Solomon (1052-1087) was king of Hungary from 1063 to 1074. He was the only son of King Andrew I of Hungary, from his second marriage to Anastasia of Kiev. To secure the succession, his father crowned him king at the age of 5. However, after the death of his father, he was quickly deposed by his uncle Béla I. After Béla′s death in 1063, he eventually became king of Hungary. He conquered Belgrade from Byzantium. However, after 1074 he was expelled as king by his cousin Géza, the son of Béla.
Huszár 14 ; C.I.19 ; Unger 8
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HUNGARY - KINGDOM - COLOMAN (KOLOMAN), 1095-1116 - Denar n.d.
weight 0,58gr. ; silver Ø 17mm.
obv. Three long cross-scepters side-by-side,
surrounded by the legend; ✠ CΛL - MΛN
rev. Small cross within circle, wedges in the corners,
surrounded by a blundered legend of ✠LΛDISLΛVS REX
Coloman I the Book-lover, also spelled Koloman, King of Hungary and Croatia (full royal title ″King of Hungary, Slavonia, Croatia and Dalmatia″).
Coloman was the elder son of the future King Géza I and his first wife Sophia, daughter of Count Giselbert of Looz. When his father died on 25 April 1077, in accordance with the Hungarian tradition which gave precedence to the eldest member of the royal family over the king′s son, King Géza′s brother, Ladislaus was proclaimed king. Coloman and his younger brother, Álmos were educated in the court of their uncle. King Ladislaus wanted Álmos to succeed him as king of Hungary, and wished to make Coloman a bishop. Coloman was educated pursuant to the clerical traditions and acquired his subsequently famous learning, which earned him the appellation ″the Book-lover″.
King Ladislaus appointed Coloman to bishop of Eger or Nagyvárad. However, Coloman did not want to live an ecclesiastical life, and in 1095, when King Ladislaus named officially Álmos as his heir, Coloman escaped to Poland. When Coloman came back followed by Polish troops provided to him by Duke Wadysaw I Herman of Poland, King Ladislaus died on 29 July 1095. Shortly afterwards, Coloman made an agreement with his brother, under which Álmos acknowledged his reign. In 1112, Coloman married Eufemia of Kiev, daughter of Grand Prince Vladimir II of Kiev. However, a few months later, she was caught in adultery and immediately divorced and sent back to her father. Eufemia bore a son in Kiev, named Boris in 1112, but Coloman refused to acknowledge him as his son. Shortly afterwards, Coloman had a meeting with Bolesaw III who was going on a pilgrimage to Székesfehérvár and Somogyvár because of having made his brother blind. In 1115, Coloman, who had become more and more ill, also ordered to have Álmos and his infant son, Béla blinded in order to secure his own son′s inheritance. In August 1115, Venice made an assault against Dalmatia and began to conquer the Dalmatian towns and isles. But Coloman was not able to answer to the aggression, because he died on 3 February 1116. He was buried in Székesfehérvár, next to St. Stephen.
Huszár 34 ; C.I.42 ; Unger 30
practically as struck
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HUNGARY - KINGDOM - COLOMAN (KOLOMAN), 1095-1116 - Denar n.d.
weight 0,35gr. ; silver Ø 10mm.
obv. Very tiny cross between two lines surrounded
by four dots within quadrilobed, surrounded by the legend;
✠ CΛLMΛN RE
rev. Small cross within circle, wedges in the angles,
surrounded by a blundered legend of ✠LΛDISLΛVS REX
Coloman I the Book-lover, also spelled Koloman, King of Hungary and Croatia (full royal title ″King of Hungary, Slavonia, Croatia and Dalmatia″).
Coloman was the elder son of the future King Géza I and his first wife Sophia, daughter of Count Giselbert of Looz. When his father died on 25 April 1077, in accordance with the Hungarian tradition which gave precedence to the eldest member of the royal family over the king′s son, King Géza′s brother, Ladislaus was proclaimed king. Coloman and his younger brother, Álmos were educated in the court of their uncle. King Ladislaus wanted Álmos to succeed him as king of Hungary, and wished to make Coloman a bishop. Coloman was educated pursuant to the clerical traditions and acquired his subsequently famous learning, which earned him the appellation ″the Book-lover″.
King Ladislaus appointed Coloman to bishop of Eger or Nagyvárad. However, Coloman did not want to live an ecclesiastical life, and in 1095, when King Ladislaus named officially Álmos as his heir, Coloman escaped to Poland. When Coloman came back followed by Polish troops provided to him by Duke Wadysaw I Herman of Poland, King Ladislaus died on 29 July 1095. Shortly afterwards, Coloman made an agreement with his brother, under which Álmos acknowledged his reign. In 1112, Coloman married Eufemia of Kiev, daughter of Grand Prince Vladimir II of Kiev. However, a few months later, she was caught in adultery and immediately divorced and sent back to her father. Eufemia bore a son in Kiev, named Boris in 1112, but Coloman refused to acknowledge him as his son. Shortly afterwards, Coloman had a meeting with Bolesaw III who was going on a pilgrimage to Székesfehérvár and Somogyvár because of having made his brother blind. In 1115, Coloman, who had become more and more ill, also ordered to have Álmos and his infant son, Béla blinded in order to secure his own son′s inheritance. In August 1115, Venice made an assault against Dalmatia and began to conquer the Dalmatian towns and isles. But Coloman was not able to answer to the aggression, because he died on 3 February 1116. He was buried in Székesfehérvár, next to St. Stephen.
Huszár 41 ; C.I.49 ; EH.34
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HUNGARY - KINGDOM - ISTVAN II, 1116-1131 - Denar n.d.
weight 0,54gr. ; silver Ø 12mm.
obv. Straight and diagonal cross placed over each other within a circle,
surrounded by the legend; ✠ CEHΛNVS REX •
rev. Short cross with wedges in the angles, surrounded
by a blundered legend of ✠LΛDISLΛVS REX
Istvan II was born in 1101 as the son and successor of King Coloman, member of the Árpád dynasty. His mother was Felicia, a daughter of Roger I of Sicily by his second wife Eremburge of Mortain. In 1116 he became King of Hungary until his death in 1131. Almost immediately, the young king involved his kingdom in warfare. Soon after his accession in 1116, Stephen went to war with Bohemia and was defeated. In 1123 he intervened in Kievan Rus on behalf of the opposition to Vladimir Monomakh, together with Polish and Bohemian troops. However the siege of the city of Vladimir was broken off prematurely, when his generals threatened to elect a new king unless he called off the campaign, traditionally regarded as the first successful rebellion of Hungarian nobles against the king. In 1124 he succeeded in regaining Dalmatia from the Republic of Venice, but lost it again the next year. He died on 1 March 1131 at Oradea, and was interred at the cathedral there.
Huszár 45 ; C.I.51 ; EH.35
Very well struck specimen with excellent details. Near mintstate.
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HUNGARY, KINGDOM - ISTVAN II, 1116-1131 - Denar n.d.
weight 0,35gr. ; silver Ø 11mm.
obv. Cross with small crosses in the angles
rev. Small cross within circle, wedges in the angles,
blundered inscription in the outer circle
Istvan II was born in 1101 as the son and successor of King Coloman, member of the Árpád dynasty. His mother was Felicia, a daughter of Roger I of Sicily by his second wife Eremburge of Mortain. In 1116 he became King of Hungary until his death in 1131. Almost immediately, the young king involved his kingdom in warfare. Soon after his accession in 1116, Stephen went to war with Bohemia and was defeated. In 1123 he intervened in Kievan Rus on behalf of the opposition to Vladimir Monomakh, together with Polish and Bohemian troops. However the siege of the city of Vladimir was broken off prematurely, when his generals threatened to elect a new king unless he called off the campaign, traditionally regarded as the first successful rebellion of Hungarian nobles against the king. In 1124 he succeeded in regaining Dalmatia from the Republic of Venice, but lost it again the next year. He died on 1 March 1131 at Oradea, and was interred at the cathedral there.
Huszár 76 ; C.I.65 ; EH.42
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HUNGARY, KINGDOM - ISTVAN II, 1116-1131 - Denar n.d.
weight 0,40gr. ; silver Ø 11mm.
obv. Three arches with the convex side directed inwards and
a cross in the concave side, arranged around a central point
rev. Small cross within circle, wedges in the angles,
surrounded by a blundered legend within a circle
Istvan II was born in 1101 as the son and successor of King Coloman, member of the Árpád dynasty. His mother was Felicia, a daughter of Roger I of Sicily by his second wife Eremburge of Mortain. In 1116 he became King of Hungary until his death in 1131. Almost immediately, the young king involved his kingdom in warfare. Soon after his accession in 1116, Stephen went to war with Bohemia and was defeated. In 1123 he intervened in Kievan Rus on behalf of the opposition to Vladimir Monomakh, together with Polish and Bohemian troops. However the siege of the city of Vladimir was broken off prematurely, when his generals threatened to elect a new king unless he called off the campaign, traditionally regarded as the first successful rebellion of Hungarian nobles against the king. In 1124 he succeeded in regaining Dalmatia from the Republic of Venice, but lost it again the next year. He died on 1 March 1131 at Oradea, and was interred at the cathedral there.
Huszár 91 ; C.I.75 ; EH.40
attractive dark patina
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HUNGARY, KINGDOM - BELA II THE BLIND, 1131-1141 - Denar n.d.
weight 0,35gr. ; silver Ø 11mm.
obv. Stylized portrait frontal surrounded by the legend;
REX BELΛ
rev. Small cross with wedges in the angels within circle,
surrounded by a blundered legend of ✠LΛDISLΛVS REX
Béla II of Hungary, ″The Blind″ was born in 1110 as son of Prince Álmos, a brother of king Coloman. He was a member of the Arpad dynasty and was King of Hungary from 1131 until his death in 1141. His father Prince Álmos led a rebellion against his brother King Coloman of Hungary, and as a result of this he and Béla were blinded and forced to flee to Constantinople. Béla was recalled by Coloman′s son and successor Stephen II, who, lacking offspring of his own, designated him his successor. Because Béla was blind, his wife, Serbian princess, Ilona and brother-in-law Beloš played a large role in governing his Kingdom. Shortly after taking the throne, Ilona ordered the massacre of the men she considered responsible for her husband′s blinding. She implaced her brother, Beloš, as the count palatine, giving him supreme command over the Hungarian Army and a commendable place in the Hungarian Royal Court. Béla′s reign was notable for his foreign policy; his sister Hedwig was married to a son of Leopold III of Austria and another sister to Sobeslav I of Bohemia, thereby allying Hungary with two previously inimical states. In 1136, Béla managed to recover part of Dalmatia from the control of the Republic of Venice, and sent an expedition into Bosnia. In 1137, he gave the title of Duke of Bosnia, with acceptance from the entire country, to his son Ladislaus. Béla′s entire reign was overshadowed by a conflict with Boris, a son of Coloman of doubtful legitimacy, in which Boris was supported by Poland and Kievan Rus′. In 1132 Boleslaus III of Poland led a campaign with Kievan Rus′ and Polish troops on Boris′ behalf. Boleslaus and Boris were defeated near the Sajó River, but Boris was to prove a persistent claimant for a number of years to come. Béla died from the effects of an overindulgence of alcohol on February 13, 1141. His throne was succeeded by Géza II, but he was too young to rule, so Queen Ilona and Beloš continued to rule.
Huszár 50 ; C.I.59 ; Unger 43
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HUNGARY, KINGDOM - BELA II THE BLIND, 1131-1141 - Denar n.d.
weight 0,16gr. ; silver Ø 11mm.
obv. Six arcs and four crosses sorround two longer paralell pillars
and two smaller ones. A dot and two crosses in the center
rev. Cross and four dots within inner circle, lines,
dots and crescents between inner and outer circles
Béla II of Hungary, ″The Blind″ was born in 1110 as son of Prince Álmos, a brother of king Coloman. He was a member of the Arpad dynasty and was King of Hungary from 1131 until his death in 1141. His father Prince Álmos led a rebellion against his brother King Coloman of Hungary, and as a result of this he and Béla were blinded and forced to flee to Constantinople. Béla was recalled by Coloman′s son and successor Stephen II, who, lacking offspring of his own, designated him his successor. Because Béla was blind, his wife, Serbian princess, Ilona and brother-in-law Beloš played a large role in governing his Kingdom. Shortly after taking the throne, Ilona ordered the massacre of the men she considered responsible for her husband′s blinding. She implaced her brother, Beloš, as the count palatine, giving him supreme command over the Hungarian Army and a commendable place in the Hungarian Royal Court. Béla′s reign was notable for his foreign policy; his sister Hedwig was married to a son of Leopold III of Austria and another sister to Sobeslav I of Bohemia, thereby allying Hungary with two previously inimical states. In 1136, Béla managed to recover part of Dalmatia from the control of the Republic of Venice, and sent an expedition into Bosnia. In 1137, he gave the title of Duke of Bosnia, with acceptance from the entire country, to his son Ladislaus. Béla′s entire reign was overshadowed by a conflict with Boris, a son of Coloman of doubtful legitimacy, in which Boris was supported by Poland and Kievan Rus′. In 1132 Boleslaus III of Poland led a campaign with Kievan Rus′ and Polish troops on Boris′ behalf. Boleslaus and Boris were defeated near the Sajó River, but Boris was to prove a persistent claimant for a number of years to come. Béla died from the effects of an overindulgence of alcohol on February 13, 1141. His throne was succeeded by Géza II, but he was too young to rule, so Queen Ilona and Beloš continued to rule.
Huszár 82 ; Emil Unger (ÉH) 51; C.I.70 ; András Lengyel (EK) I. 11/7 ;
Catalogue of Árpádian Coinage (CAC II) 18.3.1.1 ; Numista 33707
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HUNGARY, KINGDOM - BELA II THE BLIND, 1131-1141 - Denar n.d.
weight 0,19gr. ; silver Ø 10mm.
obv. Small cross with dots in the angels, surrounded by crescents, stripes and crosses
rev. Small cross with stripes in the angels within double circle
Béla II of Hungary, ″The Blind″ was born in 1110 as son of Prince Álmos, a brother of king Coloman. He was a member of the Arpad dynasty and was King of Hungary from 1131 until his death in 1141. His father Prince Álmos led a rebellion against his brother King Coloman of Hungary, and as a result of this he and Béla were blinded and forced to flee to Constantinople. Béla was recalled by Coloman′s son and successor Stephen II, who, lacking offspring of his own, designated him his successor. Because Béla was blind, his wife, Serbian princess, Ilona and brother-in-law Beloš played a large role in governing his Kingdom. Shortly after taking the throne, Ilona ordered the massacre of the men she considered responsible for her husband′s blinding. She implaced her brother, Beloš, as the count palatine, giving him supreme command over the Hungarian Army and a commendable place in the Hungarian Royal Court. Béla′s reign was notable for his foreign policy; his sister Hedwig was married to a son of Leopold III of Austria and another sister to Sobeslav I of Bohemia, thereby allying Hungary with two previously inimical states. In 1136, Béla managed to recover part of Dalmatia from the control of the Republic of Venice, and sent an expedition into Bosnia. In 1137, he gave the title of Duke of Bosnia, with acceptance from the entire country, to his son Ladislaus. Béla′s entire reign was overshadowed by a conflict with Boris, a son of Coloman of doubtful legitimacy, in which Boris was supported by Poland and Kievan Rus′. In 1132 Boleslaus III of Poland led a campaign with Kievan Rus′ and Polish troops on Boris′ behalf. Boleslaus and Boris were defeated near the Sajó River, but Boris was to prove a persistent claimant for a number of years to come. Béla died from the effects of an overindulgence of alcohol on February 13, 1141. His throne was succeeded by Géza II, but he was too young to rule, so Queen Ilona and Beloš continued to rule.
Huszár 89 ; C.I.74 ; EH.48
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HUNGARY, KINGDOM - BELA II THE BLIND, 1131-1141 - Denar n.d.
weight 0,32gr. ; silver Ø 12mm.
obv. Cross with dotted crescents s in the angels
rev. Small cross with wedges in the angels within circle,
blundered legend in the outer circle
Béla II of Hungary, ″The Blind″ was born in 1110 as son of Prince Álmos, a brother of king Coloman. He was a member of the Arpad dynasty and was King of Hungary from 1131 until his death in 1141. His father Prince Álmos led a rebellion against his brother King Coloman of Hungary, and as a result of this he and Béla were blinded and forced to flee to Constantinople. Béla was recalled by Coloman′s son and successor Stephen II, who, lacking offspring of his own, designated him his successor. Because Béla was blind, his wife, Serbian princess, Ilona and brother-in-law Beloš played a large role in governing his Kingdom. Shortly after taking the throne, Ilona ordered the massacre of the men she considered responsible for her husband′s blinding. She implaced her brother, Beloš, as the count palatine, giving him supreme command over the Hungarian Army and a commendable place in the Hungarian Royal Court. Béla′s reign was notable for his foreign policy; his sister Hedwig was married to a son of Leopold III of Austria and another sister to Sobeslav I of Bohemia, thereby allying Hungary with two previously inimical states. In 1136, Béla managed to recover part of Dalmatia from the control of the Republic of Venice, and sent an expedition into Bosnia. In 1137, he gave the title of Duke of Bosnia, with acceptance from the entire country, to his son Ladislaus. Béla′s entire reign was overshadowed by a conflict with Boris, a son of Coloman of doubtful legitimacy, in which Boris was supported by Poland and Kievan Rus′. In 1132 Boleslaus III of Poland led a campaign with Kievan Rus′ and Polish troops on Boris′ behalf. Boleslaus and Boris were defeated near the Sajó River, but Boris was to prove a persistent claimant for a number of years to come. Béla died from the effects of an overindulgence of alcohol on February 13, 1141. His throne was succeeded by Géza II, but he was too young to rule, so Queen Ilona and Beloš continued to rule.
Huszár 99 ; C.I.87 ; EH.52
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HUNGARY, KINGDOM - BELA II THE BLIND, 1131-1141 - Denar n.d.
weight 0,31gr. ; silver Ø 12mm.
obv. Long cross pattée placed over a dotted circle with wedges
in the corners, surrounded by; ╸╸ / ╸╸ / ╸╸/ E ↽
rev. Small cross with wedges in the angels within circle,
surrounded by a blundered legend
Béla II of Hungary, ″The Blind″ was born in 1110 as son of Prince Álmos, a brother of king Coloman. He was a member of the Arpad dynasty and was King of Hungary from 1131 until his death in 1141. His father Prince Álmos led a rebellion against his brother King Coloman of Hungary, and as a result of this he and Béla were blinded and forced to flee to Constantinople. Béla was recalled by Coloman′s son and successor Stephen II, who, lacking offspring of his own, designated him his successor. Because Béla was blind, his wife, Serbian princess, Ilona and brother-in-law Beloš played a large role in governing his Kingdom. Shortly after taking the throne, Ilona ordered the massacre of the men she considered responsible for her husband′s blinding. She implaced her brother, Beloš, as the count palatine, giving him supreme command over the Hungarian Army and a commendable place in the Hungarian Royal Court. Béla′s reign was notable for his foreign policy; his sister Hedwig was married to a son of Leopold III of Austria and another sister to Sobeslav I of Bohemia, thereby allying Hungary with two previously inimical states. In 1136, Béla managed to recover part of Dalmatia from the control of the Republic of Venice, and sent an expedition into Bosnia. In 1137, he gave the title of Duke of Bosnia, with acceptance from the entire country, to his son Ladislaus. Béla′s entire reign was overshadowed by a conflict with Boris, a son of Coloman of doubtful legitimacy, in which Boris was supported by Poland and Kievan Rus′. In 1132 Boleslaus III of Poland led a campaign with Kievan Rus′ and Polish troops on Boris′ behalf. Boleslaus and Boris were defeated near the Sajó River, but Boris was to prove a persistent claimant for a number of years to come. Béla died from the effects of an overindulgence of alcohol on February 13, 1141. His throne was succeeded by Géza II, but he was too young to rule, so Queen Ilona and Beloš continued to rule.
Huszár 90 ; C.I.102 ; Unger 53
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HUNGARY, KINGDOM - BELA II THE BLIND, 1131-1141 - Denar n.d.
weight 0,17gr. ; silver Ø 10mm.
obv. Four dotted circles composed around central dot within dotted circle,
surrounded by four times two semicircles placed next to each other,
interrupted by short bars
rev. Small cross with wedges in the angels within circle,
surrounded by four small wedges
Béla II of Hungary, ″The Blind″ was born in 1110 as son of Prince Álmos, a brother of king Coloman. He was a member of the Arpad dynasty and was King of Hungary from 1131 until his death in 1141. His father Prince Álmos led a rebellion against his brother King Coloman of Hungary, and as a result of this he and Béla were blinded and forced to flee to Constantinople. Béla was recalled by Coloman′s son and successor Stephen II, who, lacking offspring of his own, designated him his successor. Because Béla was blind, his wife, Serbian princess, Ilona and brother-in-law Beloš played a large role in governing his Kingdom. Shortly after taking the throne, Ilona ordered the massacre of the men she considered responsible for her husband′s blinding. She implaced her brother, Beloš, as the count palatine, giving him supreme command over the Hungarian Army and a commendable place in the Hungarian Royal Court. Béla′s reign was notable for his foreign policy; his sister Hedwig was married to a son of Leopold III of Austria and another sister to Sobeslav I of Bohemia, thereby allying Hungary with two previously inimical states. In 1136, Béla managed to recover part of Dalmatia from the control of the Republic of Venice, and sent an expedition into Bosnia. In 1137, he gave the title of Duke of Bosnia, with acceptance from the entire country, to his son Ladislaus. Béla′s entire reign was overshadowed by a conflict with Boris, a son of Coloman of doubtful legitimacy, in which Boris was supported by Poland and Kievan Rus′. In 1132 Boleslaus III of Poland led a campaign with Kievan Rus′ and Polish troops on Boris′ behalf. Boleslaus and Boris were defeated near the Sajó River, but Boris was to prove a persistent claimant for a number of years to come. Béla died from the effects of an overindulgence of alcohol on February 13, 1141. His throne was succeeded by Géza II, but he was too young to rule, so Queen Ilona and Beloš continued to rule.
Since we did not find this coin type in the Huszár catalogue, the attribution to Bela II is not entirely certain, but most likely. Seems to be unpublished. Highly interesting and extremely rare.
Huszár - RRR
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HUNGARY, KINGDOM - GEZA II, 1141-1162 - Denar n.d.
weight 0,22gr. ; silver Ø 11,5mm.
obv. Central pearl cross with a larger rim, pearl pillars diagonal;
letters Ns in between.
rev. Central cross with dots at the ends and in the middle;
three circular dots between stams in line circle
Géza II was king of Hungary from 1141 until his death on 31 May 1162. Géza was the son Béla II of Hungary and Serbian Princess Ilona (Jelena) and was born in ca.1130, in Tolna, Poland. He succeeded his father as King of Hungary in 1141, and because he was still a minor, his maternal uncle, Duke of Hungary, Prince Beloš of Rascia served as regent of the Kingdom helped by his sister, Queen Ilona of Hungary. He faced challenges from Boris, the son of King Kálmán′s adulterous queen, who disputed his claim to the throne.
As an adult, Géza had a reputation as a well-respected king, whose nobles did not dare to scheme against him. The power and valor of his army was also commented upon, and Géza did not hesitate to involve himself in politics. He supported the Welf party against the Hohenstaufens, and defeated Henry II of Austria in battle in 1146. He also supported his brother-in-law, Iziaslav II of Kiev, militarily, and fought a war against the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Comnenus from 1149 to 1155. After a failed attempt to achieve power in Rascia, Beloš awarded himself the Banate of Croatia in 1142, which he reigned until 1158.
In 1146, Géza married Euphrosyne of Kiev, daughter of Grand Duke Mstislav I of Kiev. Their children were: István III (1147-1172), Béla III (1148-1196)., Ilona of Hungary (died 1199), married Leopold V, Duke of Austria. Géza died on 31 May 1162 and was buried in Székesfehérvár.
Huszár 123 ; Emil Unger (ÉH) 70; C.I.132 ; András Lengyel (EK) I. 12/18 ;
Catalogue of Árpádian Coinage (CAC II) 19.9.1.1 ; Numista 34118
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HUNGARY, KINGDOM - GEZA II, 1141-1162 - Denar n.d.
weight 0,32gr. ; silver Ø 12mm.
obv. Long horizontal pearl line ending in wedges crossed by a shorter
line in center, also ending in wedges; 8 dots in the origo and the end
of the stems; two small crosses facing each other in line with shorter line;
Є letters facing inward between stems.
rev. Rimmed small central cross and four dots in inner circle; no outer circle
Géza II was king of Hungary from 1141 until his death on 31 May 1162. Géza was the son Béla II of Hungary and Serbian Princess Ilona (Jelena) and was born in ca.1130, in Tolna, Poland. He succeeded his father as King of Hungary in 1141, and because he was still a minor, his maternal uncle, Duke of Hungary, Prince Beloš of Rascia served as regent of the Kingdom helped by his sister, Queen Ilona of Hungary. He faced challenges from Boris, the son of King Kálmán′s adulterous queen, who disputed his claim to the throne.
As an adult, Géza had a reputation as a well-respected king, whose nobles did not dare to scheme against him. The power and valor of his army was also commented upon, and Géza did not hesitate to involve himself in politics. He supported the Welf party against the Hohenstaufens, and defeated Henry II of Austria in battle in 1146. He also supported his brother-in-law, Iziaslav II of Kiev, militarily, and fought a war against the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Comnenus from 1149 to 1155. After a failed attempt to achieve power in Rascia, Beloš awarded himself the Banate of Croatia in 1142, which he reigned until 1158.
In 1146, Géza married Euphrosyne of Kiev, daughter of Grand Duke Mstislav I of Kiev. Their children were: István III (1147-1172), Béla III (1148-1196)., Ilona of Hungary (died 1199), married Leopold V, Duke of Austria. Géza died on 31 May 1162 and was buried in Székesfehérvár.
Huszár 124 ; Emil Unger (EH) 71; C.I.133 ; András Lengyel (EK) I. 12/10 ;
Catalogue of Árpádian Coinage (CAC II) 19.10.1.1 ; Numista 33804 S
scarce type
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HUNGARY, KINGDOM - GEZA II, 1141-1162 - Denar n.d.
weight 0,24gr. ; silver Ø 11mm.
obv. Large pearl cross in center ending in smaller crosses;
small crosses connected with four pearl lines wedges outside,
four dots inside
rev. Two small crosses connected with a diagonal line,
two small crosses at the side, four dots above and below small
crosses in inner circle, no outer circle.
Géza II was king of Hungary from 1141 until his death on 31 May 1162. Géza was the son Béla II of Hungary and Serbian Princess Ilona (Jelena) and was born in ca.1130, in Tolna, Poland. He succeeded his father as King of Hungary in 1141, and because he was still a minor, his maternal uncle, Duke of Hungary, Prince Beloš of Rascia served as regent of the Kingdom helped by his sister, Queen Ilona of Hungary. He faced challenges from Boris, the son of King Kálmán′s adulterous queen, who disputed his claim to the throne.
As an adult, Géza had a reputation as a well-respected king, whose nobles did not dare to scheme against him. The power and valor of his army was also commented upon, and Géza did not hesitate to involve himself in politics. He supported the Welf party against the Hohenstaufens, and defeated Henry II of Austria in battle in 1146. He also supported his brother-in-law, Iziaslav II of Kiev, militarily, and fought a war against the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Comnenus from 1149 to 1155. After a failed attempt to achieve power in Rascia, Beloš awarded himself the Banate of Croatia in 1142, which he reigned until 1158.
In 1146, Géza married Euphrosyne of Kiev, daughter of Grand Duke Mstislav I of Kiev. Their children were: István III (1147-1172), Béla III (1148-1196)., Ilona of Hungary (died 1199), married Leopold V, Duke of Austria. Géza died on 31 May 1162 and was buried in Székesfehérvár.
Huszár 152 ; Emil Unger (ÉH) 72; C.I.145 ;
András Lengyel (EK) I. 12/19 ; Numista 34119
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HUNGARY, KINGDOM - BELA III, 1172-1196 - Brakteat n.d.
weight 0,27 gr. ; Ø 15mm.
obv. Head left curly hair to the left within dotted circle
rev. Incuse of the obverse
Béla III of Hungary was the King of Hungary from 1172-1196. He was the son of King Géza II and Euphrosyne, the daughter of Grand Duke Mstislav I of Kiev. In 1164, the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Comnenus concluded a treaty with Béla′s brother, Stephen III, by which Béla was given the Croatian and Dalmatian territories and sent to Constantinople to be educated at the Imperial court. Manuel, who had no legitimate sons, intended that Béla should marry his daughter, Maria Comnena, and eventually succeed him as Emperor. Béla received a Greek name, Alexius, and the title of despot. When Alexius II Comnenus was born as a son of Manuel and his second wife Maria of Antioch, Béla′s engagement to Maria was cancelled. But Manuel helped negotiate another mar- riage for him, this time to Agnes of Antioch, daughter of Raynald of Chatillon. Agnes was the half-sister of Maria of Antioch.
Béla succeeded his brother King Stephen III and was crowned under the influence of Emperor Manuel. As the new king, Béla adopted Catholicism and selected his son Emeric as his successor. He was a powerful ruler, and his court was counted among the most brilliant in Europe. Béla was a warrior by nature and training, and the death of Emperor Manuel in 1180 left him free to expand Hungarian power in the Balkans. Hungarian troops invaded Byzantine territory at some time before 1183. Béla′s attempt to recover Dalmatia led the Kingdom of Hungary into two wars against the Republic of Venice, but these finally achieved little. He also aided the Serbs against the Byzantine Empire. At the time of his death Béla was assisting Emperor Isaac II Angelus in a war against Bulgaria. He was succeeded by both of his sons in turn, Emeric and Andrew.
His remains were confidently identified by archeologists during late 19th century excavations at the ruined cathedral of Székesfehérvár where the Árpád monarchs had been crowned and buried. Béla′s exceptional height, as documented by contemporary sources, rendered the identification certain. Based on the examination of his skeleton he must have been over two metres tall, a really outstanding height at that time. His remains were afterwards reinterred at the Mathias Church in Budapest, with those of his second wife Agnes. Through his mother, Bela descended from Harold II of England (whose descendants had been dispossessed as a result of the Norman Conquest). Through his son, Andrew II, Béla was an ancestor of Edward III of England. As a result, all subsequent English and British monarchs could claim descent from Harold II.
Huszár 192 ; C.I.272 ; EH.122
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HUNGARY, KINGDOM - BELA III, 1172-1196 - Scyphate follis n.d.
weight 3,47gr. ; copper Ø 26mm.
obv. The Virgin seated facing, holding sceptre and infant Christ child,
surrounded by the legend; ✠ - SANCTA - MARIA
rev. Kings Béla and Stephan, each holding scepter and globus cruciger,
seated facing within Gothic niche REX BELA REX STS (partly retrograde)
Béla III of Hungary was the King of Hungary from 1172-1196. He was the son of King Géza II and Euphrosyne, the daughter of Grand Duke Mstislav I of Kiev. In 1164, the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Comnenus concluded a treaty with Béla′s brother, Stephen III, by which Béla was given the Croatian and Dalmatian territories and sent to Constantinople to be educated at the Imperial court. Manuel, who had no legitimate sons, intended that Béla should marry his daughter, Maria Comnena, and eventually succeed him as Emperor. Béla received a Greek name, Alexius, and the title of despot. When Alexius II Comnenus was born as a son of Manuel and his second wife Maria of Antioch, Béla′s engagement to Maria was cancelled. But Manuel helped negotiate another mar- riage for him, this time to Agnes of Antioch, daughter of Raynald of Chatillon. Agnes was the half-sister of Maria of Antioch.
Béla succeeded his brother King Stephen III and was crowned under the influence of Emperor Manuel. As the new king, Béla adopted Catholicism and selected his son Emeric as his successor. He was a powerful ruler, and his court was counted among the most brilliant in Europe. Béla was a warrior by nature and training, and the death of Emperor Manuel in 1180 left him free to expand Hungarian power in the Balkans. Hungarian troops invaded Byzantine territory at some time before 1183. Béla′s attempt to recover Dalmatia led the Kingdom of Hungary into two wars against the Republic of Venice, but these finally achieved little. He also aided the Serbs against the Byzantine Empire. At the time of his death Béla was assisting Emperor Isaac II Angelus in a war against Bulgaria. He was succeeded by both of his sons in turn, Emeric and Andrew.
His remains were confidently identified by archeologists during late 19th century excavations at the ruined cathedral of Székesfehérvár where the Árpád monarchs had been crowned and buried. Béla′s exceptional height, as documented by contemporary sources, rendered the identification certain. Based on the examination of his skeleton he must have been over two metres tall, a really outstanding height at that time. His remains were afterwards reinterred at the Mathias Church in Budapest, with those of his second wife Agnes. Through his mother, Bela descended from Harold II of England (whose descendants had been dispossessed as a result of the Norman Conquest). Through his son, Andrew II, Béla was an ancestor of Edward III of England. As a result, all subsequent English and British monarchs could claim descent from Harold II.
Huszár 72 ; C.I.98-100 ; Unger 122
Attractive dark greenbrown patina. Good details.
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HUNGARY, KINGDOM - BELA III, 1172-1196 - Follis n.d.
weight 2,60gr. ; copper Ø 27mm.
obv. The Virgin seated facing, holding sceptre and infant Christ child,
surrounded by the legend; ✠ - SANCTA - MARIA
rev. Kings Béla and Stephan, each holding scepter and globus cruciger,
seated facing within Gothic niche REX BELA REX STS (partly retrograde)
Béla III of Hungary was the King of Hungary from 1172-1196. He was the son of King Géza II and Euphrosyne, the daughter of Grand Duke Mstislav I of Kiev. In 1164, the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Comnenus concluded a treaty with Béla′s brother, Stephen III, by which Béla was given the Croatian and Dalmatian territories and sent to Constantinople to be educated at the Imperial court. Manuel, who had no legitimate sons, intended that Béla should marry his daughter, Maria Comnena, and eventually succeed him as Emperor. Béla received a Greek name, Alexius, and the title of despot. When Alexius II Comnenus was born as a son of Manuel and his second wife Maria of Antioch, Béla′s engagement to Maria was cancelled. But Manuel helped negotiate another mar- riage for him, this time to Agnes of Antioch, daughter of Raynald of Chatillon. Agnes was the half-sister of Maria of Antioch.
Béla succeeded his brother King Stephen III and was crowned under the influence of Emperor Manuel. As the new king, Béla adopted Catholicism and selected his son Emeric as his successor. He was a powerful ruler, and his court was counted among the most brilliant in Europe. Béla was a warrior by nature and training, and the death of Emperor Manuel in 1180 left him free to expand Hungarian power in the Balkans. Hungarian troops invaded Byzantine territory at some time before 1183. Béla′s attempt to recover Dalmatia led the Kingdom of Hungary into two wars against the Republic of Venice, but these finally achieved little. He also aided the Serbs against the Byzantine Empire. At the time of his death Béla was assisting Emperor Isaac II Angelus in a war against Bulgaria. He was succeeded by both of his sons in turn, Emeric and Andrew.
His remains were confidently identified by archeologists during late 19th century excavations at the ruined cathedral of Székesfehérvár where the Árpád monarchs had been crowned and buried. Béla′s exceptional height, as documented by contemporary sources, rendered the identification certain. Based on the examination of his skeleton he must have been over two metres tall, a really outstanding height at that time. His remains were afterwards reinterred at the Mathias Church in Budapest, with those of his second wife Agnes. Through his mother, Bela descended from Harold II of England (whose descendants had been dispossessed as a result of the Norman Conquest). Through his son, Andrew II, Béla was an ancestor of Edward III of England. As a result, all subsequent English and British monarchs could claim descent from Harold II.
Huszár 72 ; C.I.98-100 ; Unger 122
minor traces of oxidation
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HUNGARY, KINGDOM - BELA III, 1172-1196 - Rézpénz n.d.
weight 1,58gr. ; copper Ø 23mm.
obv. Pseudo-Arabic legends in circle, surrounded by a Pseudo-Arabic legend.
rev. Pseudo-Arabic legends in circle, surrounded by a Pseudo-Arabic legend.
Béla III of Hungary was the King of Hungary from 1172-1196. He was the son of King Géza II and Euphrosyne, the daughter of Grand Duke Mstislav I of Kiev. In 1164, the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Comnenus concluded a treaty with Béla′s brother, Stephen III, by which Béla was given the Croatian and Dalmatian territories and sent to Constantinople to be educated at the Imperial court. Manuel, who had no legitimate sons, intended that Béla should marry his daughter, Maria Comnena, and eventually succeed him as Emperor. Béla received a Greek name, Alexius, and the title of despot. When Alexius II Comnenus was born as a son of Manuel and his second wife Maria of Antioch, Béla′s engagement to Maria was cancelled. But Manuel helped negotiate another mar- riage for him, this time to Agnes of Antioch, daughter of Raynald of Chatillon. Agnes was the half-sister of Maria of Antioch.
Béla succeeded his brother King Stephen III and was crowned under the influence of Emperor Manuel. As the new king, Béla adopted Catholicism and selected his son Emeric as his successor. He was a powerful ruler, and his court was counted among the most brilliant in Europe. Béla was a warrior by nature and training, and the death of Emperor Manuel in 1180 left him free to expand Hungarian power in the Balkans. Hungarian troops invaded Byzantine territory at some time before 1183. Béla′s attempt to recover Dalmatia led the Kingdom of Hungary into two wars against the Republic of Venice, but these finally achieved little. He also aided the Serbs against the Byzantine Empire. At the time of his death Béla was assisting Emperor Isaac II Angelus in a war against Bulgaria. He was succeeded by both of his sons in turn, Emeric and Andrew.
His remains were confidently identified by archeologists during late 19th century excavations at the ruined cathedral of Székesfehérvár where the Árpád monarchs had been crowned and buried. Béla′s exceptional height, as documented by contemporary sources, rendered the identification certain. Based on the examination of his skeleton he must have been over two metres tall, a really outstanding height at that time. His remains were afterwards reinterred at the Mathias Church in Budapest, with those of his second wife Agnes. Through his mother, Bela descended from Harold II of England (whose descendants had been dispossessed as a result of the Norman Conquest). Through his son, Andrew II, Béla was an ancestor of Edward III of England. As a result, all subsequent English and British monarchs could claim descent from Harold II.
Huszár 73 ; C.I.101 ; Unger 123
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HUNGARY, KINGDOM - BELA III OF ARPAD, 1172-1196 - Obol n.d.
weight 0,12gr. ; copper Ø 9mm.
obv. Central cross with four dots; four outward arcs
connected with lines, four crosses in the arcs
rev. Small cross and four dots in inner line circle
Béla III of Hungary was the King of Hungary from 1172-1196. He was the son of King Géza II and Euphrosyne, the daughter of Grand Duke Mstislav I of Kiev. In 1164, the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Comnenus concluded a treaty with Béla′s brother, Stephen III, by which Béla was given the Croatian and Dalmatian territories and sent to Constantinople to be educated at the Imperial court. Manuel, who had no legitimate sons, intended that Béla should marry his daughter, Maria Comnena, and eventually succeed him as Emperor. Béla received a Greek name, Alexius, and the title of despot. When Alexius II Comnenus was born as a son of Manuel and his second wife Maria of Antioch, Béla′s engagement to Maria was cancelled. But Manuel helped negotiate another mar- riage for him, this time to Agnes of Antioch, daughter of Raynald of Chatillon. Agnes was the half-sister of Maria of Antioch.
Béla succeeded his brother King Stephen III and was crowned under the influence of Emperor Manuel. As the new king, Béla adopted Catholicism and selected his son Emeric as his successor. He was a powerful ruler, and his court was counted among the most brilliant in Europe. Béla was a warrior by nature and training, and the death of Emperor Manuel in 1180 left him free to expand Hungarian power in the Balkans. Hungarian troops invaded Byzantine territory at some time before 1183. Béla′s attempt to recover Dalmatia led the Kingdom of Hungary into two wars against the Republic of Venice, but these finally achieved little. He also aided the Serbs against the Byzantine Empire. At the time of his death Béla was assisting Emperor Isaac II Angelus in a war against Bulgaria. He was succeeded by both of his sons in turn, Emeric and Andrew.
His remains were confidently identified by archeologists during late 19th century excavations at the ruined cathedral of Székesfehérvár where the Árpád monarchs had been crowned and buried. Béla′s exceptional height, as documented by contemporary sources, rendered the identification certain. Based on the examination of his skeleton he must have been over two metres tall, a really outstanding height at that time. His remains were afterwards reinterred at the Mathias Church in Budapest, with those of his second wife Agnes. Through his mother, Bela descended from Harold II of England (whose descendants had been dispossessed as a result of the Norman Conquest). Through his son, Andrew II, Béla was an ancestor of Edward III of England. As a result, all subsequent English and British monarchs could claim descent from Harold II.
Normally these obols are struck in silver. This specimen is struck in copper. A trial strike or contemporaine forgery ? Seems to be unpublished as such. Highly interesting and (extremely ?) rare.
cf. Huszár 181 ; cf. Emil Unger (ÉH) 95; cf. C.I.162 ;
cf. András Lengyel (EK) I. 15/11 ; cf. Numista 33707 ;
cf. Catalogue of Árpádian Coinage (CAC II) 20.21.1.1
minor flan crack
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HUNGARY - KINGDOM - BELA IV, 1235-1270 - Bracteat n.d.
weight 0,22gr. ; silver Ø 13mm.
obv. King enthroned facing, with fleur-de-lis scepter and royal orb,
• B • in right field, • R • in left field.
rev. Incusum of obverse
Bela IV, 1206–70, king of Hungary (1235–70), son and successor of Andrew II. He tried to curtail the power of the magnates and set out to recover the crownlands his father had given to supporters. Confronted by the menace of the Mongol invasion, he sent unheeded appeals to Pope Gregory IX and Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, but he was crushingly defeated at Mohi on the Sajo River in 1241. Returning after the withdrawal of the invaders, he repopulated the country by inviting foreign colonization.
After the Tartar invasion, King Béla IV founded the city that is known today as Buda. He was looking for a place that would be impregnable during a next Mongol attack. He surrounded the plateau of Castle Hill with thick walls, parcelled and populated the area, and built monasteries and churches. Béla IV′s Buda still exists today, the castle walls he built, the streets he walked on, the house walls and window frames he could see, the booths he could sit in, but not even a plaque preserves the name of the founder here. In a battle (1246) with the last Babenberg duke of Austria, the duke was killed but the Austrians were victorious. Bela′s long struggle with Ottocar II, king of Bohemia, for Austria and Styria ended (1260) in defeat. His last years were disturbed by the rebellion of his son, later King Stephen V. Béla′s favorite son, also named Béla, died in the summer of 1269. On 18 January 1270 the King′s youngest daughter, the saintly Margaret, also died. King Béla too soon fell terminally ill. On his deathbed, he asked his grandson-in-law King Ottokar II of Bohemia to assist his wife, daughter and partisans in case they were forced to leave Hungary by his son. Béla died on Rabbits′ Island on 3 May 1270. Dying at 63, he exceeded in age most members of the House of Árpád. He was buried in the church of the Franciscans in Esztergom, but Archbishop Philip of Esztergom had his corpse transferred to the Esztergom Cathedral.
Huszár 191 ; C.I.271 ; Unger 117
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HUNGARY - KINGDOM - BELA IV, 1235-1270 - Bracteat n.d.
weight 0,17gr. ; silver Ø 13mm.
obv. Large T with Hungarian cross above, roses in lower field on right and left
rev. Incusum of obverse
Bela IV, 1206–70, king of Hungary (1235–70), son and successor of Andrew II. He tried to curtail the power of the magnates and set out to recover the crownlands his father had given to supporters. Confronted by the menace of the Mongol invasion, he sent unheeded appeals to Pope Gregory IX and Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, but he was crushingly defeated at Mohi on the Sajo River in 1241. Returning after the withdrawal of the invaders, he repopulated the country by inviting foreign colonization.
After the Tartar invasion, King Béla IV founded the city that is known today as Buda. He was looking for a place that would be impregnable during a next Mongol attack. He surrounded the plateau of Castle Hill with thick walls, parcelled and populated the area, and built monasteries and churches. Béla IV′s Buda still exists today, the castle walls he built, the streets he walked on, the house walls and window frames he could see, the booths he could sit in, but not even a plaque preserves the name of the founder here. In a battle (1246) with the last Babenberg duke of Austria, the duke was killed but the Austrians were victorious. Bela′s long struggle with Ottocar II, king of Bohemia, for Austria and Styria ended (1260) in defeat. His last years were disturbed by the rebellion of his son, later King Stephen V. Béla′s favorite son, also named Béla, died in the summer of 1269. On 18 January 1270 the King′s youngest daughter, the saintly Margaret, also died. King Béla too soon fell terminally ill. On his deathbed, he asked his grandson-in-law King Ottokar II of Bohemia to assist his wife, daughter and partisans in case they were forced to leave Hungary by his son. Béla died on Rabbits′ Island on 3 May 1270. Dying at 63, he exceeded in age most members of the House of Árpád. He was buried in the church of the Franciscans in Esztergom, but Archbishop Philip of Esztergom had his corpse transferred to the Esztergom Cathedral.
Huszár 199 ; C.I.279 ; EH.116
minor flancrack en somewhat irregular flan
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HUNGARY - KINGDOM - BELA IV, 1235-1270 - Bracteat n.d.
weight 0,31gr. ; silver Ø 13,5mm.
obv. Male portrait formed from three faces,
surrounded by the legend; BЄ LA RЄX
rev. Incusum of obverse
Bela IV, 1206–70, king of Hungary (1235–70), son and successor of Andrew II. He tried to curtail the power of the magnates and set out to recover the crownlands his father had given to supporters. Confronted by the menace of the Mongol invasion, he sent unheeded appeals to Pope Gregory IX and Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, but he was crushingly defeated at Mohi on the Sajo River in 1241. Returning after the withdrawal of the invaders, he repopulated the country by inviting foreign colonization.
After the Tartar invasion, King Béla IV founded the city that is known today as Buda. He was looking for a place that would be impregnable during a next Mongol attack. He surrounded the plateau of Castle Hill with thick walls, parcelled and populated the area, and built monasteries and churches. Béla IV′s Buda still exists today, the castle walls he built, the streets he walked on, the house walls and window frames he could see, the booths he could sit in, but not even a plaque preserves the name of the founder here. In a battle (1246) with the last Babenberg duke of Austria, the duke was killed but the Austrians were victorious. Bela′s long struggle with Ottocar II, king of Bohemia, for Austria and Styria ended (1260) in defeat. His last years were disturbed by the rebellion of his son, later King Stephen V. Béla′s favorite son, also named Béla, died in the summer of 1269. On 18 January 1270 the King′s youngest daughter, the saintly Margaret, also died. King Béla too soon fell terminally ill. On his deathbed, he asked his grandson-in-law King Ottokar II of Bohemia to assist his wife, daughter and partisans in case they were forced to leave Hungary by his son. Béla died on Rabbits′ Island on 3 May 1270. Dying at 63, he exceeded in age most members of the House of Árpád. He was buried in the church of the Franciscans in Esztergom, but Archbishop Philip of Esztergom had his corpse transferred to the Esztergom Cathedral.
Huszár 200 ; C.I.280 ; Unger 103
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HUNGARY - KINGDOM - BELA IV, 1235-1270 - Denar n.d.
weight 0,51gr. ; silver Ø 12mm.
obv. Cross on crescent divides two crowned heads
rev. Animal (panther?) with long tail walks right
Bela IV, 1206–70, king of Hungary (1235–70), son and successor of Andrew II. He tried to curtail the power of the magnates and set out to recover the crownlands his father had given to supporters. Confronted by the menace of the Mongol invasion, he sent unheeded appeals to Pope Gregory IX and Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, but he was crushingly defeated at Mohi on the Sajo River in 1241. Returning after the withdrawal of the invaders, he repopulated the country by inviting foreign colonization.
After the Tartar invasion, King Béla IV founded the city that is known today as Buda. He was looking for a place that would be impregnable during a next Mongol attack. He surrounded the plateau of Castle Hill with thick walls, parcelled and populated the area, and built monasteries and churches. Béla IV′s Buda still exists today, the castle walls he built, the streets he walked on, the house walls and window frames he could see, the booths he could sit in, but not even a plaque preserves the name of the founder here. In a battle (1246) with the last Babenberg duke of Austria, the duke was killed but the Austrians were victorious. Bela′s long struggle with Ottocar II, king of Bohemia, for Austria and Styria ended (1260) in defeat. His last years were disturbed by the rebellion of his son, later King Stephen V. Béla′s favorite son, also named Béla, died in the summer of 1269. On 18 January 1270 the King′s youngest daughter, the saintly Margaret, also died. King Béla too soon fell terminally ill. On his deathbed, he asked his grandson-in-law King Ottokar II of Bohemia to assist his wife, daughter and partisans in case they were forced to leave Hungary by his son. Béla died on Rabbits′ Island on 3 May 1270. Dying at 63, he exceeded in age most members of the House of Árpád. He was buried in the church of the Franciscans in Esztergom, but Archbishop Philip of Esztergom had his corpse transferred to the Esztergom Cathedral.
Huszár 339 ; Emil Unger (ÉH) 256; C.I. 369 ;
András Lengyel (EK) I. 18/77 ; Numista 50699 ;
Catalogue of Árpádian Coinage (CAC III) 22.70
Off-centre reverse strike. Attractive toning.
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HUNGARY - KINGDOM - BELA IV, 1235-1270 - Denar n.d.
weight 0,59gr. ; silver Ø 12mm.
obv. Cross on crescent divides two crowned heads
rev. Animal (panther?) with long tail walks right
Bela IV, 1206–70, king of Hungary (1235–70), son and successor of Andrew II. He tried to curtail the power of the magnates and set out to recover the crownlands his father had given to supporters. Confronted by the menace of the Mongol invasion, he sent unheeded appeals to Pope Gregory IX and Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, but he was crushingly defeated at Mohi on the Sajo River in 1241. Returning after the withdrawal of the invaders, he repopulated the country by inviting foreign colonization.
After the Tartar invasion, King Béla IV founded the city that is known today as Buda. He was looking for a place that would be impregnable during a next Mongol attack. He surrounded the plateau of Castle Hill with thick walls, parcelled and populated the area, and built monasteries and churches. Béla IV′s Buda still exists today, the castle walls he built, the streets he walked on, the house walls and window frames he could see, the booths he could sit in, but not even a plaque preserves the name of the founder here. In a battle (1246) with the last Babenberg duke of Austria, the duke was killed but the Austrians were victorious. Bela′s long struggle with Ottocar II, king of Bohemia, for Austria and Styria ended (1260) in defeat. His last years were disturbed by the rebellion of his son, later King Stephen V. Béla′s favorite son, also named Béla, died in the summer of 1269. On 18 January 1270 the King′s youngest daughter, the saintly Margaret, also died. King Béla too soon fell terminally ill. On his deathbed, he asked his grandson-in-law King Ottokar II of Bohemia to assist his wife, daughter and partisans in case they were forced to leave Hungary by his son. Béla died on Rabbits′ Island on 3 May 1270. Dying at 63, he exceeded in age most members of the House of Árpád. He was buried in the church of the Franciscans in Esztergom, but Archbishop Philip of Esztergom had his corpse transferred to the Esztergom Cathedral.
Huszár 339 ; Emil Unger (ÉH) 256; C.I. 369 ;
András Lengyel (EK) I. 18/77 ; Numista 50699 ;
Catalogue of Árpádian Coinage (CAC III) 22.70
some weakness of strike
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HUNGARY - KINGDOM - BELA IV, 1235-1270 - Obol n.d.
weight 0,27gr. ; silver Ø 11mm.
obv. Two towers at side, between them a
crowned head with a double cross below
rev. Crowned, winged lion to the right in pearl circle
Bela IV, 1206–70, king of Hungary (1235–70), son and successor of Andrew II. He tried to curtail the power of the magnates and set out to recover the crownlands his father had given to supporters. Confronted by the menace of the Mongol invasion, he sent unheeded appeals to Pope Gregory IX and Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, but he was crushingly defeated at Mohi on the Sajo River in 1241. Returning after the withdrawal of the invaders, he repopulated the country by inviting foreign colonization.
After the Tartar invasion, King Béla IV founded the city that is known today as Buda. He was looking for a place that would be impregnable during a next Mongol attack. He surrounded the plateau of Castle Hill with thick walls, parcelled and populated the area, and built monasteries and churches. Béla IV′s Buda still exists today, the castle walls he built, the streets he walked on, the house walls and window frames he could see, the booths he could sit in, but not even a plaque preserves the name of the founder here. In a battle (1246) with the last Babenberg duke of Austria, the duke was killed but the Austrians were victorious. Bela′s long struggle with Ottocar II, king of Bohemia, for Austria and Styria ended (1260) in defeat. His last years were disturbed by the rebellion of his son, later King Stephen V. Béla′s favorite son, also named Béla, died in the summer of 1269. On 18 January 1270 the King′s youngest daughter, the saintly Margaret, also died. King Béla too soon fell terminally ill. On his deathbed, he asked his grandson-in-law King Ottokar II of Bohemia to assist his wife, daughter and partisans in case they were forced to leave Hungary by his son. Béla died on Rabbits′ Island on 3 May 1270. Dying at 63, he exceeded in age most members of the House of Árpád. He was buried in the church of the Franciscans in Esztergom, but Archbishop Philip of Esztergom had his corpse transferred to the Esztergom Cathedral.
Huszár 337 ; Emil Unger (ÉH) 247; C.I. 345 ;
András Lengyel (EK) I. 18/35 ; Numista 50697 ;
Catalogue of Árpádian Coinage (CAC III) 22.16
some light scratches
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HUNGARY - KINGDOM - CHARLES ROBERT OF ANJOU, 1307-1342 - Denar n.d. (1323-1333)
weight 0,67gr. ; silver Ø 15mm.
obv. Crowned bust of king Charles facing within circle,
surrounded by the legend; ✠ MONETA REGIS KARVLI
rev. Above Double cross: 2 lillies of Anjou, below two crowned
heads facing; At the lower arm of the cross two birds facing
Charles I (1288 – 16 July 1342), also known as Charles Robert (Caroberto), was the first King of Hungary and Croatia (1308–42) of the House of Anjou. He was also descended from the old Hungarian Árpád dynasty. Charles was the only son of Charles Martel, Prince of Salerno, and his wife, Clemence of Austria. He was born in 1288; the place of his birth is unknown. Charles Martel was the firstborn son of Charles II of Naples and Charles II′s wife, Mary, who was a daughter of Stephen V of Hungary. Mary laid claim to Hungary after her brother, Ladislaus IV of Hungary, died in 1290, but the Hungarian prelates and lords elected her cousin, Andrew III, king. Instead of abandoning her claim to Hungary, she transferred it to her son, Charles Martel, and after his death in 1295, to her grandson, Charles.
Charles came to the Kingdom of Hungary upon the invitation of an influential Croatian lord, Paul Šubić, in August 1300. Andrew III died on 14 January 1301, and within four months Charles was crowned king, but with a provisional crown instead of the Holy Crown of Hungary. His claim to the throne of Hungary was contested by several pretenders. Charles would strengthen his rule in the kingdom against his opponents and the powerful magnates following a long series of internal struggles. Charles also carried out numerous important political and economical reforms: he established the so called honor system which made the powerful barons dependent of his favour, and he introduced new coins with a consistently high purity of gold. Charles′s foreign policy largely stemmed from dynastic alliances. His most successful achievement was the mutual defense union with Poland and Bohemia against the Habsburgs. Charles also endeavoured to enforce his or his descendants′ claim to the Kingdom of Naples, but he could achieve only sham results. Nevertheless, he was one of the most successful rulers of the Kingdom of Hungary whose efforts established his successor′s achievements. He died in Visegrád on 16 July 1342.
Huszár 459 ; Emil Unger (ÉH) 365 ; C.II. 51 ;
András Lengyel (EK) II. 24/41 ; Numista 34633 ;
Csaba (Anjou) 1.33
very attractive specimen with fine details
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HUNGARY - KINGDOM - LOUIS I, 1342-1382 - Denar n.d. (1373-1382)
weight 0,67gr. ; silver Ø 15mm.
obv. Portrait of “Saracen” facing left, hair tied with ribbon, bowed
at back, surrounded by the legend; ✠ MONЄTA LODOVICI
rev. Rimmed double cross (patriarchal cross) with eight dots around,
surrounded by the legend; ✠ RЄGIS HVNGARIЄ
Louis I the Great was King of Hungary, Croatia, and Dalmatia etc. from 1342 and of Poland from 1370. Louis was the head of the senior branch of the Angevin dynasty. He was one of the Kingdom of Hungary′s most active and accomplished monarchs of the Late Middle Ages, extending her territory to the Adriatic and securing Dalmatia, with part of Bosnia and Bulgaria, within the Hungarian crown. He spent much of his reign in wars with the Republic of Venice and in competition for the throne of Naples, the former with some success and the latter with little lasting results.
In contemporaine accounts and writings this denar is referred to as "denarius Saracenus". Saracen was a term used both in Greek and Latin writings between the 5th and 15th centuries to refer to the people who lived in and near what was designated by the Romans as Arabia Petraea and Arabia Deserta. By the 12th century, "Saracen" developed various overlapping definitions, generally conflating peoples and cultures associated with Islam, the Near East and the Abbasid Caliphate. Such an expansion in the meaning of the term had begun centuries earlier among the Byzantine Greeks, as evidenced in documents from the 8th century where "Saracen" is synonymous with "Muslim". Before the 16th century, "Saracen" was commonly used in Western languages to refer to Muslims, and the terms "Muslim" and "Islam" were generally not used, with a few isolated exceptions.
Huszár 547 ; Emil Unger (ÉH) 432 ; Numista 33816
some weaknesses of strike
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HUNGARY - KINGDOM - MARIA, 1382-1395 - Denar n.d. (1383)
weight 0,50gr. ; silver Ø 15mm.
obv. Double cross within circle, surrounded by the legend;
✠ MONЄTA MARIЄ
rev. Crown above letter M, within pearl inner circle,
surrrounded by the legend; ✠ RЄGINЄ VNGARIЄ
Maria of Hungary (also Maria of Anjou) was born in 1371, the daughter of King Louis I the Great of Poland, Croatia and Hungary, and Queen Elizabeth of Bosnia. Louis conquered the kingdom of Naples for his young relative, Charles of Durazzo, but reserved his major holdings for his two daughters, Maria and Jadwiga. When Louis died in 1382, having no male siblings, Jadwiga became queen of Poland, while Maria inherited Hungary. Maria was crowned "king" of Hungary on 17 September 1382, seven days after Louis the Great′s death.
Before Maria′s first birthday, her father made a promise to Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor, that Maria would marry the emperor′s second son, Sigismund of Luxembourg. However, to strengthen Maria′s position, the queen mother wanted her to marry Louis, the younger brother of Charles VI of France. Their engagement was announced in May 1385. Sigismund of Luxembourg invaded Upper Hungary (now Slovakia), forcing the queen mother to give 14-year-old Maria in marriage to him. In October 1385 she married Sigismund of Luxembourg, son of Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor, margrave of Brandenburg, who soon became king of Germany and Bohemia (he later was crowned Holy Roman emperor). This put Maria and Sigismund in control of most of Central and Eastern Europe, from the French border across almost to the Black Sea.
The emperor and empress ruled well together; both were ambitious and politically astute, making important alliances and preserving their empire for 12 years. Their powerful positions also led them into numerous wars and engagements. They could not prevent Charles III of Naples from entering Buda. After Maria renounced the throne, Charles was crowned king on 31 December 1385, but he was murdered at the instigation of Maria′s mother in February 1386. Maria was restored, but the dead king′s supporters captured her and her mother on 25 July. Queen Elizabeth was murdered in January 1387. Sigismund had to pay a huge ransom and make large land concessions to her captors in order to gain her release. Maria was released on 4 June 1387. Maria officially remained co-ruler with Sigismund, who had meanwhile been crowned king, but her influence on the government was minimal. On 17th May 1395, whilst pregnant, At the young age of 24, Maria fell from her horse causing an early labour that resulted in the death of both Maria and her unborn child. She was greatly mourned by her husband and subjects.
Huszár 566 ; Emil Unger (ÉH) 442 ; Numista 34127
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ROMANIA, KINGDOM - CAROL I, 1866-1914 - 5 Bani 1867, Heaton Mint (Birmingham)
weight 4,90gr. ; copper Ø 25mm.
plain edge
obv. Crowned arms supported by woman and lion within crowned mantle,
ROMANIA above, ribbon below with the legend; NIHIL SINE DEO
rev. 5 / BANI / 1867 within wreath, HEATON below
Nihil sine Deo (Nothing without God′s will) was the motto of the Romanian Kingdom (1878-1947) while ruled by the Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen dynasty.
HEATON MINT, BIRMINGHAM
In 1794 Ralph Heaton I established a brassfounding business in Slaney Street, Birmingham. From 1808-1812 the company moved to Shadwell Street. By 1817 Ralph I gave Ralph II a tenement and shop at the corner of Bath Street and Shadwell Street. Although the two men shared an address, they separately administered their businesses. 1817 marks the birth of the business in question, which endured for nearly two centuries. Since then many coins, medals and tokens have been produced by the Heaton Mint, for both British and foreign clients. In 1847 Ralph II′s business became Heaton and Son, when Ralph III joined his father. In 1853 the business became Heaton & Sons when George began with them. This name was retained until 1889. In 1887 Heaton and Sons won a contract to build and equip the Canton Mint. Two years later, on 22 March 1889, the company became a limited liability company. The company name was changed from Heaton and Sons to ″The Mint Birmingham Limited″. This company was active until 2003.
KM.3.1
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RUSSIA ( RUSSLAND ) - NICHOLAS I, 1825-1855 - Gold ducat 1840, St.Petersburg
weight 3,48gr. ; gold Ø 21mm.
mintmark torch
obv. Armored and helmeted Dutch knight standing facing right,
sword on his shoulder in his right hand and bundle of arrows (7 arrows)
in his left hand, flanked by the year 18 - 40, surrounded by the text;
CONCORDIA RES - PARVAE CRESCUNT. Torch
rev. Double-lined square with scroll decorations on the sides and a
rosette at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o′clock, within which is a text in 4 lines;
MO.AUR. / REG.BELGII / AD LEGEM / IMPERII.
Imitation of a Dutch gold ducat. Original Dutch gold ducats from this
date with mintmark torch do not exist, only the Russian imitations. Rare.
Bitkin 32 ; Jacques Schulman 224 ; Laurens Schulman 240 ;
Friedberg 161 ; KM.50.2 R
Small area of clipping or metal testing at 1 o′clock,
otherwise attractive lustrous specimen with fine details.
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SERBIA, EMPIRE - STEFAN UROŠ IV DUŠAN, KING 1331-1345, TSAR 1346-1355 - 1 Dinar n.d.
weight 1,32gr. ; silver Ø 21mm.
obv. The bust of Christ Pantokrator facing, nimbused, raising his right hand,
holding in blessing position and holding akakia in his left, dividing barred
IC - XC in upper fields and N - O in lower fields
rev. Stefan on horseback riding right, head facing, crowned and in loros,
holding cruciform sceptre and akakia; barred CΦЬ - ZP across field.
Stefan Uroš IV Dušan, also known as Dušan Silni (″the Mighty″) was the King of Serbia from 8 September 1331 and Emperor of the Serbs, Greeks, Bulgarians and Albanians from 16 April 1346 until his death in 1355. Dušan is considered one of the greatest medieval Balkan conquerors.
Dušan was the eldest son of King Stefan Dečanski and Theodora Smilets, the daughter of emperor Smilets of Bulgaria. He was born c. 1308, or in 1312, in Serbia. In 1314 Dušan′s father was exiled, and the family lived in Constantinople until his recall in 1320. Dušan became acquainted with the Byzantine Empire during his stay in its capital, learning cultural customs and the Greek language. He was interested in the arts of war and was more soldier then diplomat; in his youth he fought exceptionally in two battles, defeating Bosnian forces in 1329 during the War of Hum, and the Bulgarian emperor Michael III Shishman in the 1330 Battle of Velbužd.
He overthrew his father and then crowned himself as king on 8 September 1331. In 1332 he married Jelena, sister of Bulgarian Tsar Aleksandar, a woman of strong will, who had large influence on him and born him son Uros and one daughter. Dusan was the only real Tsar of Serbia, creating the Serbian Empire. Under his rule Serbia reached it territorial peak and was one of the largest states in Europe. Apart from territorial gains, in 1349 and 1354 he made and enforced Dusan′s code. He is the only ruler from the house of Nemanjic who is not canonized as a saint. While mounting a crusade against the Turks, Dusan suddenly died on 20 December 1355. He was buried in his foundation, the Monastery of the Holy Archangels near Prizren.
Maric 1956 T XVI 11,12 ; J 52,53 ; Jovanović 11.27 ;
Ljubić, VIII-22-24 ; Ivanišević 6.11.1 ;
Dimnik & Dobrinic, p.171, 6.1.8 R
Struck with some minor weaknesses. Attractive toning. Rare.
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SERBIA, EMPIRE - STEFAN UROŠ IV DUŠAN, KING 1331-1345, TSAR 1346-1355 - ½ Dinar n.d.
weight 0,87gr. ; silver Ø 17mm.
obv. Enthroned Christ Pantokrator facing, nimbate, dividing
barred IC - XC and ∴ - ∴ in upper fields and ∴ - ∴ in lower fields
rev. The crowned tsar stands on the left and the crowned tsarina
stands on the right, patriarchal cross between them, both holding
a cross-scepter; barred CΦ - ZP across lower fields
Stefan Uroš IV Dušan, also known as Dušan Silni (″the Mighty″) was the King of Serbia from 8 September 1331 and Emperor of the Serbs, Greeks, Bulgarians and Albanians from 16 April 1346 until his death in 1355. Dušan is considered one of the greatest medieval Balkan conquerors.
Dušan was the eldest son of King Stefan Dečanski and Theodora Smilets, the daughter of emperor Smilets of Bulgaria. He was born c. 1308, or in 1312, in Serbia. In 1314 Dušan′s father was exiled, and the family lived in Constantinople until his recall in 1320. Dušan became acquainted with the Byzantine Empire during his stay in its capital, learning cultural customs and the Greek language. He was interested in the arts of war and was more soldier then diplomat; in his youth he fought exceptionally in two battles, defeating Bosnian forces in 1329 during the War of Hum, and the Bulgarian emperor Michael III Shishman in the 1330 Battle of Velbužd.
He overthrew his father and then crowned himself as king on 8 September 1331. In 1332 he married Jelena, sister of Bulgarian Tsar Aleksandar, a woman of strong will, who had large influence on him and born him son Uros and one daughter. Dusan was the only real Tsar of Serbia, creating the Serbian Empire. Under his rule Serbia reached it territorial peak and was one of the largest states in Europe. Apart from territorial gains, in 1349 and 1354 he made and enforced Dusan′s code. He is the only ruler from the house of Nemanjic who is not canonized as a saint. While mounting a crusade against the Turks, Dusan suddenly died on 20 December 1355. He was buried in his foundation, the Monastery of the Holy Archangels near Prizren.
cf. Ljubić pl. VIII-10/11 ; cf. Dimnik & Dobrinić 6.1.13/14 RR
Struck with some minor weaknesses. Attractive toning. Very rare.
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SERBIA, EMPIRE - STEFAN UROŠ IV DUŠAN, KING 1331-1345, TSAR 1346-1355 - ½ Dinar n.d.
weight 0,62gr. ; silver Ø 16mm.
obv. Enthroned Christ Pantokrator facing, nimbate, raising hand in
benediction and holding Gospels, dividing barred IC - XC and
∴ - ∴ in upper fields and ∴ - ∴ in lower fields
rev. Stefan enthroned facing, crowned, wearing stemma and holding
cross scepter.; barred CΦЬ - ZP across field.
Stefan Uroš IV Dušan, also known as Dušan Silni (″the Mighty″) was the King of Serbia from 8 September 1331 and Emperor of the Serbs, Greeks, Bulgarians and Albanians from 16 April 1346 until his death in 1355. Dušan is considered one of the greatest medieval Balkan conquerors.
Dušan was the eldest son of King Stefan Dečanski and Theodora Smilets, the daughter of emperor Smilets of Bulgaria. He was born c. 1308, or in 1312, in Serbia. In 1314 Dušan′s father was exiled, and the family lived in Constantinople until his recall in 1320. Dušan became acquainted with the Byzantine Empire during his stay in its capital, learning cultural customs and the Greek language. He was interested in the arts of war and was more soldier then diplomat; in his youth he fought exceptionally in two battles, defeating Bosnian forces in 1329 during the War of Hum, and the Bulgarian emperor Michael III Shishman in the 1330 Battle of Velbužd.
He overthrew his father and then crowned himself as king on 8 September 1331. In 1332 he married Jelena, sister of Bulgarian Tsar Aleksandar, a woman of strong will, who had large influence on him and born him son Uros and one daughter. Dusan was the only real Tsar of Serbia, creating the Serbian Empire. Under his rule Serbia reached it territorial peak and was one of the largest states in Europe. Apart from territorial gains, in 1349 and 1354 he made and enforced Dusan′s code. He is the only ruler from the house of Nemanjic who is not canonized as a saint. While mounting a crusade against the Turks, Dusan suddenly died on 20 December 1355. He was buried in his foundation, the Monastery of the Holy Archangels near Prizren.
Jovanović 11.56 ; Ljubić XV.1-3 ; Ivanišević 7.4 ;
Jovanović (1984) 66 ; Dimnik & Dobrinić 6.2.3
Struck with some minor weaknesses. Attractive toning.
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