Drachmas Doubloons and Dollars: The History of Money
(Exhibition Home)
The Medieval West
Introduction
The Dark Ages and The Penny - The Normans - Bracteates - The Crusades (1095-1292) and the Bezant - The Third Crusade (1189-1192) - The End of the Crusades - The Italian Communes and the Papal States - The Hundred Years' War
The Italian Communes and the Papal States

In 1204 the Fourth Crusade captured Constantinople. Crusaders and Venetians partitioned the Byzantine Empire, and Venice emerged as a naval power with a commercial Mediterranean empire. The new Venetian silver grosso was provided with a gold multiple, the ducat, successor to the Byzantine hyperpyron. In 1252, Florence commenced striking the gold florin, which proved a popular trade coin. In the 14th century, the great monarchs of Western Europe created their own gold coinage based on the florin, identifiable by the prominent fleur de lis.
Venetian silver grosso issued under Doge Pietro Ziani (1205-1229) depicting St. Mark presenting the city banner to the Doge.
Byzantine electrum aspron trachy of John II Comnenus (1118-1143) showing St. George presenting a cross to the Emperor.
Venetian gold zecchino issued under Doge Peter Gradenigo (1289-1311), depicting St. Mark presenting the city banner to the Doge and a standing figure of Christ.
Florentine silver fiorino (12th-13th century) depicting St. John the Baptist.
Florentine silver grosso guelfo (1363) with the fleur de lis.
Florentine silver florin (1252-1303) depicting St. John the Baptist.
Silver grosso of Clement VI (1342-1352) with papal portrait.
Roman gold zecchino struck by the Roman Senate (1350-1439) depicting St. Peter presenting the city banner to a senator, a scene inspired by the Venetian zecchino.