COINS OF MEDIEVAL SERBIA

THE SLAVS BEGAN migrating into southeastern Europe during the chaotic sixth century, interacting – sometimes as adversaries, sometimes as subjects or allies – with the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire. By the time of Prince Mutimir (ruled c. 850-891), many Serbs had converted to Orthodox Christianity. In 1219, under the leadership of Archbishop St. Sava, the Serbian Orthodox Church became independent from Constantinople.

Stefan Uroš I

 

SERBIA. Stefan Uros I, king, 1243-1276. Gros (Silver, 20 mm, 1.71 g, 6 h). VROSIVS REX S STEFAN' Stefan Uroš standing facing on the left, holding akakia in his left hand, and St. Stefan, nimbate, standing facing on the right, holding book of Gospels in his left hand; both holding, between them with their right hands, long banner. Rev. Christ, nimbate, seated facing on decorated throne and holding book of Gospels with both hands; in field to left and right, IC – XC. Dimitrijevic 5. Light areas of weakness, otherwise, very fine. Starting Price: 25 CHF. Leu Numismatik AG > Web Auction 16. 22 May 2021. Lot: 4841. Realized: 55 CHF (approx. $61).

Born about 1223, Stefan Uroš I is remembered as Uroš Veliki (Urosh the Great). He was the youngest son of Stefan the First-Crowned. His mother Anna was the daughter of the Venetian doge (duke) Enrico Dandolo, who led the Fourth Crusade that sacked Constantinople in 1204. Stefan Uroš won his throne in 1243 by defeating his half-brother Vladislav in a civil war. He married Helen of Anjou, a French noblewoman later canonized as St. Jelena by the Serbian Orthodox Church.

An energetic ruler, Uroš encouraged mining in the kingdom, importing skilled Saxon mine workers from the gold mines of the Carpathian Mountains. He reformed the coinage, with a massive issue of silver coins modeled on the high-quality Venetian grosso that was gaining wide acceptance as an international trade currency. In numismatic references, the terms gros and dinar are both used for these coins. On the coin, Stefan stands beside his namesake St. Stephen, patron of his Nemanjic dynasty. The Latin inscription identifies him as UROSIUS REX (King Urosh). Two sons of Uroš succeeded him in turn.

To read the complete article, see:
Coins of Medieval Serbia (https://coinweek.com/world-coins/the-coins-of-medieval-serbia/)

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