Silver Grosso of Pietro Gradenigo: Making Venice poorer, less democratic, and less great

Pietro Gradenigo was the 49th Doge of Venice, reigning from 1289 to his death in 1311.

As Doge of Venice, he had an impressive list of accomplishments:

1. Lost Acre to the Mamluks of Egypt
2. Suffered humiliating naval defeats at the hands of the Genoans
3. Venice lost it's possessions in Crete.
4. Many Venetian citizens were arrested by the Byzantines.
5. Suffered disastrous naval defeat at the hand of the Byzantines.
6. Destroyed democracy in Venice, and created a virtual oligarchy
7. Got Venice involved in a fruitless war with the Papal States over insignificant issues.
8. Saw Venice excommunicated by Pope Clement V.
9. Became a paranoid despotic tyrant after a failed coup in 1310.

Yep, Gradenigo was a real leader. He sure knew how to get things done...for the worse! Everything he touched turned to a stinking pile of feces.

At least his coins were nice!



Pietro Gradenigo 1289-1311
Venice
AR Grosso 21mm. 2.18g.

The doge at left, and St. Mark at right, standing facing, supporting pendant; DVX between. PE. GRADONICO. .S.M. VENETI.

Nimbate Christ enthroned facing; IC-XC flanking.

Biaggi 2794
Note: Nicely toned with underlying lustre.

Feel Free to share your Grossos, coins from other Italian States, or any other medieval you want.

 

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Lovely coin. Was looking at the type yesterday. Picked up a France Blanc instead. Now the waiting of delivery.

 

Wow, Sallent. That's pretty cool!

 

Oh yeah, i got this one to celebrate one year of collecting ancients and one year of cointalk fun. Thank you all. Over 2000 posts, 6,300 likes, and tons of wonderful moments and memories with my ancient coin bros and sisters.

 

Haha, Gradenigo is like a reverse Midas!



This place is great. Lots of good people to share our coins with!

 

Is that a newp Sallent??? Love it anyways!

 

No no @Sallent is done buying for the year! It must be an earlier purchase.

 

No comment.

 

damn I knew I shouldve taken that wager... nice coin man

 

Well, you all saw my recent Grosso already... but @Sallent requested grossi!


Italian States, Venice
Pietro Zani, r. 1205-1229
AR Grosso, 19.79 mm, 1.9 grams
Obv.: [·+·]P·ZIANI· ·S·M.VENETI outside (Z retrograde), D/U/X down banner held between doge and St. Mark facing
Rev.: [I¯C] X¯C across field, Christ enthroned facing.

The OP is in much better shape, but I am still pleased with my guy!