Crusades?!? Very well then... Crusader Imitation of Lucca Henry III-V, r. 1035-1125 (1198-?) Crude AR Denier, 15.27mm x 1.1 grams Obv.: H center, IMPERATOR around Rev.: LVCA forming cross, ENRICVS around Ref.: De Witt, 3691 Note: Found in Holy Land Crusader Principality of Antioch Bohemond III, r. 1149-1201 (1149-1163) AR Denier, Class B, 16.53mm x 1 gram Obv.: +BOANVNDVS, bare head right Rev.: +ANTIOCHIA, cross in circle Ref.: De Witt 4085-7 And I already posted my Greek Cusader issue - however this type was an integral part of the fourth crusade: Italian, 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 Ref.: Similar to De Witt 3626 (I need to re-photograph this one... this looks much worse than the coin actually is)
The Byzantine basilikon started being minted in the early 1300s by Andronikos II Palaeologos and was designed after the Venetian grosso on purpose as its primary function was to pay Latin mercenaries fighting in the name of Constantinople.
Belated response to @stevex6 (when are you coming back?): I find those non-English medievals to be rather refreshing to see, actually. Some of the Italian ones (not Venice) have turned my head recently.
Italian?!? Italian, Rome Roman Senate, c. 12-13th C. AR Denier, 17.26 mm x 0.9 grams Obv.: [RO]M[A CAPVT] MV[N]. Legend beginning at 3hr. Comb center, S above with sun to left and moon to right Rev.: [SENATVS . P.O.R.]. Cross patee, 1st q. moon, 2nd q. pellet, 3rd q. star, 4th q. V Ref.: Roberts 4733 Variety Note: Imitative of Champagne Norman Italy - Calabria Roger I, r. 1072-1101 (1098-1101) Mileto Mint AE Trifollaro, 28.04 mm x 8.3 grams Obv.: ROG [ERVS] COME +S. Roger, mounted left wearing Norman helm, holding kite shield and striped banner Rev.: + MARIA [MATE]R DNI (’N’ retrograde). Enthroned nimbate Virgin Mary holding on lap Christ child, nimbate and in swaddling clothes right Ref.: De Wit 3789 MEC 14,93 Norman Italy - Capua Anfusus, r. 1136-1144; AE Follaro, 10.86 mm x 0.69 grams Obv.: O/A/N in left field, standing figure holding sword Rev.: Pseudo-Cufic legend, cross above and below Ref.: [MEC 14.188] Norman Italy - Sicily Roger II, r. 1130-1154 (1130-8) AE Follaro, 15.47 mm x 1.4 grams Obv.: Ρ/Ο/ΓΕ/ΡΙ/Ο Ρ/Η/Σ (Vertically, Σ Retrograde). Roger standing with scepter in right hand Rev.: +IC+XC+NI+KA around cross patent Ref.: [MEC 14, 177] Norman Italy - Sicily Roger II, r. 1130-1154 (1140-1154) Palermo mint, AV Taris, 12.66 mm x 1.1 grams Obv.: Outer Cufic legend denoting date and mint, inner Cufic legend al-malik Rujar al-mu’tazz bi-llah, pellet in center of dotted circle Rev.: Outer cufic legend denoting date and mint, in center, cross potent on shaft with pellet between IC XC NI KA Ref.: [MEC 14.202]; De Wit 3796 Norman Italy - Sicily William II, r. 1166-1189 A.D. Messina Mint, AE Follaro, 17.23mm x 1.7 grams Obv.: + [OPERATAT IN VR]BE MESSANE outside ᵒ / REX W / SCOVS in center (OV ligate) Rev.: Arabic legend "al'malik / Ghulyalim / al-thani" (King William 2nd) in center, "bi-amr al-malik al-musta'izz" around edge Ref.: [MEC 14, 401], De Witt 3811 Note - I didn't post my Venetian Grosso since it was already posted above, but @lordmarcovan said "except Venice." Why no love for Venice? They have some beautiful coins...
Ah - this post was brought to my attention recently, and since @lordmarcovan isnt ignoring me anymore, I'll ask again - why no love for Venice? (Just curious...)
I can't explain in any rational way why I'm less enthused about Venetian coins. I certainly don't dislike their coins, but it is true that I find them a bit less interesting. It seems many of the designs remained static for a very long time, and they went on striking undated coins long after nearly everyone else had begun putting dates on theirs.
By all means, post your Venetian coins, too! A joke from my middle school days: Q- how do you make a Venetian blind? A- poke 'im in the eyes!