Serbian Medieval Coins

City of Kotor issue under Nemanjic rule (1186-1250)

Copper half follaro "cross" type. 16mm, 0.600g.

Obverse: Large cross in the middle. Latin description: + CATARENSIS • (KOTOR) around.

Reverse: Bust of Saint Trifon in the middle. Latin description: Θ • SANTVS TRIPhON (SAINT TRIFON) around.

Reference: Jov 25 4.2, Dobrinic 1.2.3.1-26

Comment: Extremely rare and hard to find Kotor copper half follaro. In very good condition with a lot of details and most letters visible.

Jovanovic in his catalogue from 2012 published 2 examples claiming he has registered and recorded 5: 17mm, 1.93g; 16mm, 1.12g; 17mm, 0.93g; 16mm, 0.78g and 17mm, 0.75g. One is with smaller cross and other one is with larger cross in the middle.

Dobrinic has a list of 26 examples but only images of 4 drawings.

I have only seen 4, 3 in 2 private collections and 1 on auction.

All known examples have a small plus or cross above bust of saint to mark a beginning of description, this is only known example with a different mark, it looks like a Greek letter Θ (Theta).

Due to strong Norman-Sicilian influence it could have been minted at any time between 1186 and 1250, from the rule of Serbian grand prince Stefan Nemanja (1166-1196) until the rule of king Uros The Great (1243-1276)!

Large cross in the middle on the obverse is also very similar to an Insignia of the Knights Hospitaller, the Maltese cross, and it’s very common on crusaders coins like Italian and German coins. it could have been minted during The Third Crusade 1189-1192 or The Fourth Crusade 1202-1204 what would bring it under grand zupan Stefan Nemanja rule 1166-1196 or his son grand zupan Stefan Nemanjic 1196-1217, later king Stefan The First Crowned 1217-1228.

If it has been minted during The Third Crusade in that case it would be the only Serbian coin known to be minted during the life and rule of the founder of the medieval Serbian state of All Serbian Lands and Maritime, grand prince Stefan Nemanja (1166-1196, died 1199). It would make it the only known Nemanja coin and therefore of extreme historical importance!

So could this be the first appearance of the Maltese cross on Serbian medieval coins predating silver matapan type? Question remains open!

Emperor Stefan Uros - City of Kotor issue (1355-1371)

Silver "scepter and globus" type. 20mm, 1.504g.

Obvеrse: Crowned king sitting on low-back bench like throne, holding lily tipped scepter and a globus. Latin description: VROSIVS INPERATO (UROS EMPEROR) around.

Reverse: Saint Trifun standing in nimbate, in right hand holding palm branch and in left cross. Latin description: S TRIPHON • CATARENSI (SAINT TRIFON KOTOR) around.

Reference: D 370 5-10, J 25 12, Jov 25 6.1, I 9.30, Lj X-11.

Comment: Very rare example with lovely natural patina and color. No R at the end of emperor title. Some damage. Only 15 registered examples.

Kotor was a medieval Adriatic coast town and part of Raska state from 1186 to 1359. Kotor makes copper follar coins but under emperor Dusan starts with silver coins. Until 1442 like all other Raska coins there are moneyer marks on them but from 1442 Kotor money has local governor initials who had changed every 2 years. After death of emperor Dusan his son Uros takes over and here we have one of those coins made in Kotor during his reign. We can pinpoint date of this coin to 1355-1359.

City of Kotor issue under Nemanjic rule (1186-1369)

Copper follaro "city gates" type. 19mm, 2.977g.

Obverse: Large castle with gates in the middle. Latin description: CATARI CIVITAS (KOTOR CITY) around.

Reverse: Saint Trifon with nimbus standing, facing, holding a lily tipped cross. Latin description: SANTVS TRIFON (SAINT TRIFON) around.

Reference: Jov 25 1.2, J 25 2, Dobrinic 1.1.2-1.2.6.

Comment: The city was conquered in 1185 by Stefan Nemanja, the ruler of the Grand Principality of Serbia and founder of the Nemanjić dynasty. Under the rule of the Nemanjić Kotor became a partially autonomous city, enjoying many privileges and maintaining its republican institutions. This is backed by a statute from 1301, which demonstrates that Kotor had the status of a city under Serbian rule. In the 14th century the commerce of Cattaro, as named in Latin scripts, rivaled that of Dubrovnik Republic of Ragusa, and caused the Republic of Venice to be envious. Kotor remained the most important trading port of subsequent Serbian states – Kingdom of Serbia and Serbian Empire, up to its downfall in 1371.

Only 9 registered examples.

City of Kotor issue under Nemanjic rule (1186-1369)

Copper follaro "city gates" type. 20mm, 1.315g.

Obverse: Large castle with gates in the middle. Latin description: CATARI CIVITAS (KOTOR CITY) around.

Reverse: Saint Trifon with nimbus standing, facing, holding a lily tipped cross. Latin description: SANTVS TRIFON (SAINT TRIFON) around.

Reference: Jov 25 1.3.

Comment: After the fracturing of the Serbian Empire, the city was taken by the Kingdom of Hungary, only to change hands repeatedly between them and the Republic of Venice in the period between 1371 and 1384. After that, Kotor was held by the Kingdom of Bosnia under Tvrtko I Kotromanić between 1384 and 1391. The king of Bosnia, who claimed the Serbian throne, minted his coins in Kotor. After the death of Tvrtko in 1391, Kotor became fully independent, until the administration, wary of the looming Ottoman danger, asked the Republic of Venice for protection. The city acknowledged the internal autonomy of the Republic of Venice in 1420, while enjoys only limited self-rule.

Only 1 registered example.

Emperor Stefan Uros - City of Ulcinj issue (1355-1371)

Copper follaro "Ulcinj" type. 19mm, 1.444g.

Obverse: Emperor seating holding cross scepter and globus, facing, with lions on each side of the throne. Latin description: VRO SIV (UROS).

Reverse: Mary mother of Jesus standing, facing with raised arms. Latin description: SE MAR IA around and initials P on the right side.

Reference: Unpublished variant compare with Jov 27 1, D 395 4-6, Lj X-14.

Comment: Rare type in lovely condition and detail with natural brown patina and copper aging present. Issued by the city of Ulcinj under Uros. Ulcinj is a tourist place located in south Montenegro coast. It has been first established by Greeks and in the 2nd century conquered by Romans. In the 9th century becomes part of Zeta and by 1186 part of Raska and under the rule of Nemanjic family.

Emperor is holding unusual cross and on the top of it looks like there are letters ZP. Only VROSI letters are visible. There are big letters. Please compare with the example below that has much smaller letters. Also S is reversed and lions a very small.

Mary on the reverse appears to have very wide dress and very nice clear face.

Only 30 registered examples.

Emperor Stefan Uros - City of Ulcinj issue (1355-1371)

Copper follaro "Ulcinj" type. 20mm, 1.319g.

Obverse: Emperor seating holding cross scepter and globus, facing, with lions on each side of the throne. Latin description: VRO SIV ( UROS). Triple dot pellet.

Reverse: Mary mother of Jesus standing, facing with raised arms. Latin description: SE M A RIA around and initials P - L to sides. P is on the left side unlike one below that has initial P on the right side.

Reference: Jov 27 1, D 395 4-6, Lj X-14.

Comment: Rare type in lovely condition and detail with natural green patina and copper aging present. Issued by the city of Ulcinj under Uros . Ulcinj is a tourist place located in south Montenegro coast. After fall of Raska Ulcinj is ruled by Balsic family and then from 1421 by Despot Stefan Lazarevic. Venice is conquering it in 1426 and from them Turks in 1571. After 1912 is taken over by Montenegro and from 1918 is part of SHS Kingdom.

Only 30 registered examples.

Emperor Stefan Uros - City of Ulcinj issue (1355-1371)

Copper follaro "Ulcinj" type. 20mm, 1.668g.

Obverse: Lamb with halo walking to the left looking up, holding cross tipped scepter. Latin description: M DEI DVLCI GNO (BY THE GRACE OF MARY DULCIGNO - ULCINJ).

Reverse: Mary seating on the throne holding baby Jesus.

Reference: Jov 27 2.1.

Comment: Very very rare follaro type, not in great condition but still lovely with some detail visible. Issued by the city of Ulcinj under Uros. In the Bible Jesus is called a sacrificial lamb who gave his perfect life in ransom for all humankind.

Only 2 registered examples.

Emperor Stefan Uros - City of Ulcinj issue (1355-1371)

Copper follaro "Ulcinj" type. 18mm, 1.624g.

Obverse: Ulcinj city gates with what appears to be palm tree in the middle with 2 circles below. Latin description: DVLCINI CIVITAS (ULCINJ CITY).

Reverse: Mary seating on the throne holding baby Jesus. Greek initials: MP OY (an abbreviation of the Greek: “Mater Theos” – the Mother of God) to the sides.

Reference: Jov 27 3.4.

Comment: Very very rare follaro type, in great condition with lovely details. Issued by the city of Ulcinj under emperor Uros.

Same type is also minted in Drivast city with only difference being description. Picture below under Drivast.

Only 1 registered examples.

City of Bar issue under Balsic rule (1356-1421)

Copper follaro "large letter A" type. 20mm, 1.593g.

Obvеrse: Latin description: large letter A in the middle. TI ✶ ✶ BAR (ATIBAR - Italian ANTIVAR) around.

Reverse: Large letter G ✶ ✶ ✶. G stands for saint George, city protector.

Reference: Jov 26 2, Dobrinic 1.1.2.

Comment: Duklja, a Slavic, or Serbian state, was mentioned in the 10th century. Jovan Vladimir (ruler 1000–1016), of Skadarska Krajina is the first known ruler of Duklja. Stefan Vojislav (ruler 1018–1043), the founder of the Vojislavljević dynasty, defeated the Byzantines in a battle on a hill near Bar. He made Bar his seat of power. Vojislav then expanded the area under his rule. Mihailo I of Duklja (ruler 1050–1081), Vojislav's son, established the Archdiocese of Antivari. He continued to fight the Byzantines in order to secure the town's independence. This led to a union of states known as the Serbian Grand Principality.

Only 5 registered examples.

City of Bar issue under Balsic rule (1356-1421)

Copper follaro "large letter A" type. 18mm, 2.104g.

Obvеrse: Latin description: large letter A in the middle. TI * * BAR (ATIBAR - Italian ANTIVAR) around.

Reverse: Large letter G in the middle and O R ✶ G I V S (GEORGE) around.

Reference: Jov 26 1, Dobrinic 1.1.1.

Comment: From 1101 to 1166, the principality was ruled by the Vukanović dynasty. However, for much of this time, Bar was under Byzantine rule. In 1183, Stefan Nemanja conquered and destroyed Bar which remained under Serbian control until the death of Dušan (1355).

Only 2 registered examples.

City of Bar issue under Balsic rule (1356-1421)

Copper follaro "horse and dragon" type. 20mm, 2.623g.

Obvеrse: Saint George standing and killing dragon. Latin description: • DAN • • TIVAR • (ATIBAR - Italian ANTIVAR) around.

Reverse: Saint George riding horse, facing left and killing dragon. Large letters: S G (SAINT GEORGE) on the right.

Reference: Jov 26 3, Dobrinic 1.2.1, 1.2.3.

Comment: From 1356-1421 Balsic family ruled city of Bar and called it Antibari, hence description on the coin.

Only 15 registered examples.

City of Skadar issue under Balsic rule (1356-1392)

Copper follaro "large shield" type. 21mm, 2.049g.

Obvеrse: Large shield in the middle. Latin description: C SCVTARENSIS (SKADAR) around.

Reverse: Saint Stefan standing, facing. Latin description: S STEF ANVS (SAINT STEFAN) around. Possibly riding horse as animal legs are visible on the left side.

Reference: Jov 28 3, J 28 5, Dobrinic 1.1.

Comment: In 1378, following Djuradj I Balsic death, his brother Balša II became the King of Zeta. During his rule, Balša II could not maintain the control of the feudal lords as his predecessor did. His power was strong only in region around Skadar, and in the eastern part of Zeta. The most prominent feudal lords who did not recognize Balša rule was the House of Crnojević, who were consistent encouraged by the Venetians to rebel against him.

Only 6 registered examples.

Next 3 examples were not minted after 1392 as Djuradj II lost a fought Ottomans for Skadar and in 1396 gave it over to Venice to avoid it falling into Ottoman hands.

City of Skadar issue under Balsic rule (1356-1392)

Copper follaro "large shield" type. 20mm, 1.722g.

Obvеrse: Large shield in the middle. Latin description: C SCVTARENSIS (SKADAR) around.

Reverse: Saint Stefan standing, facing. Latin description: S STEF ANVS (SAINT STEFAN) around.

Reference: Unpublished,compare to Jov 28 3, J 28 5, Dobrinic 1.1.

Comment: On this unpublished example there is no image of the horse, like the example above, just the bust of the saint with halo.

Balša II needed four attempts to conquer Drač, an important commercial and strategic center. Defeated, Karl Thopia appealed to the Turks for help. Turkish forces led by Hajrudin Pasha inflicted heavy damage to Balša II forces and killed him at a major Battle of Savra near Lushnje, in 1385.

Only 6 registered examples.

City of Svač issue under Balsic family rule (1356-1392)

Copper follaro "city" type. 20mm, 1.662g.

Obverse: Svac city in the middle. Latin description : CIVITAS SOVATI (CITY OF SVAČ) around.

Reverse: Saint John standing, facing and holding double cross tipped sceptre. Latin description: S IOHA NES B (SAINT JOHN) around.

Reference: Jov 30 1, Dobrinic 1.1.1.1.

Comment: Extremely rare follaro type, not in good condition but still rare with a lot of visible detail. On the reverse there is a city with a waving flag in the middle what is still to this day common occurrence.

Issued by the city of Svač under Balsic family. Balsic family was Serbian medieval family that ruled parts of old Serbian medieval empire after death of its first emperor Stefan Uros IV Dusan Nemanjic in 1355.

It was part of Nemanjic state, kingdom and later empire, as well but city didn’t issue any coins at that time. Remains of the city are today part of modern state Montenegro north of another medieval city called Ulcinj and around 20km from Skadar.

Only 1 registered examples by Jovanovic, 20mm and 1.55g. Our example is slightly heavier.
Dobrinic published 3 different coin measurements but only provided drawing of 1 example. 1 is bigger in size and heavier then ours and 2 are smaller and lighter.

Serbian medieval cities that minted coins are: Skadar, Drivast, Ulcinj, Svač, Bar, Kotor, Zvečan, Prizren, Skoplje, Rudište and Smederevo.

City of Drivast issue under Balsic family rule (1356-1392)

Copper follaro "saint" type. 20mm, 2.154g.

Obverse: Mary mother of Jesus is seating. Latin description: DRIVA STI (DRIVAST) around.

Reverse: Mary seating on the throne holding baby Jesus. Latin reverse description: MA TS (SAINT MARY) on the top.

Reference: Jov 29 2, Dobrinic 1.1.2.2.

Comment: Very very rare follaro type, not in great condition but still lovely with a lot of visible detail. Issued by the city of Drivast under Balsic family.

It was part of Nemanjic kingdom and later empire as well but city didn’t issue any coins at that time. Today is just a village called Dristi in a new state created in 1912 called Albania around 10km north from another medieval Serbian city called Skadar.

Only 1 registered examples by Jovanovic, 21mm and 1.62g. Our example is in better condition, slightly smaller and much heavier.

Dobrinic published 4 different coin measurements but only provided drawing of 1 example. All 4 are same size as ours but 2 of his measurements are showing 2 heavier coins then our example.

Copper city issues may not be popular with collectors but they are still big part of rich Serbian numismatic history!

City of Drivast issue under Balsic family rule (1356-1392)

Copper follaro "saint" type. 19mm, 1.596g.

Obverse: Mary mother of Jesus is seating. Latin description: DRIVA STI (DRIVAST) around.

Reverse: Mary seating on the throne holding baby Jesus. Latin reverse description: MA TS (SAINT MARY) on the top.

Reference: Jov 29 2, Dobrinic 1.1.2.2.

Comment: Very very rare follaro type, not in great condition but still lovely with a lot of visible detail. Issued by the city of Drivast under Balsic family. Balsic family was Serbian medieval family that ruled parts of old Serbian medieval empire after death of its first emperor Stefan Uros IV Dusan Nemanjic in 1355.

Example above has Mary seating down while on this example Mary is standing on the obverse. Reverse looks the same.