Medieval, Robert of Taranto (1318-1322/1333-1364), denarius, Athens mint
Obverse: cross in the rim
✠-GVIDVX-ATENES
Reverse:Castle below it a six-pointed star
✠ThEBANICIVIS
Silver, weight 0.77 grams, diameter 18.8 mm
In 1205, the principality of Achaia was established in the lands of the Byzantine Empire following the Fourth Crusade. It existed until 1432. The principality was considered one of the strongest Latin states in Greece. In the principality of Achaia, also known as the Principality of Mareia, the rulers minted silver coins. These were mostly denarii called tornesel , tornesol, tornese or denier tournois (tournament denarius). They had a cross in the rim and a legend on the obverse, and a castle (or church ?) in the rim and a legend on the reverse. They differed among themselves in the legend, decoration, punctuation marks and marks under or around the castle on the reverse. These coins were minted at mints in Clarentza, Athens, Naupaktos, Karytain, Corfu, Tinos, Salon, Neopatra, Atra and Chios. These are beautiful medieval coins from which a large and varied thematic collection can be created with a small outlay.
