CRUSADERS, Principality of Achaea. Uncertain. 14th-15th century. BI Denier (15mm, 0.75 g). Contemporary imitation. Good Fine.

Electronic Auction 540
Lot: 508. Estimated: $ 100

Early Medieval, Billon

Sold For $ 160. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Go to Live

CRUSADERS, Principality of Achaea. Uncertain. 14th-15th century. BI Denier (15mm, 0.75 g). Contemporary imitation. [...]ЄL RЄ[...], short cross pattée / DЄ CLARЄ[...], chatel tournois with rosette at center; T to right. Cf. Seltman, “Late Deniers Tournois of Frankish Greece,” in Essays Baldwin, class c-d (for imitation in similar style); Metcalf, Crusades 1147-1157 (same). Silvered, flan crack. Good Fine. Very rare.

This unusual denier bears a number of anomalous features that set it apart from the regular, official issues of the Principality of Achaea. The chatel features a tower formed of a distinct triangle and bears at its center a rosette flanked by two pellets, versus the normal three pellets. Additionally, a letter T is found in the right field. Field marks generally only appear under Mathilde de Hainaut, though they appear in the left field or below the chatel. The only visible legend on the obverse reads ЄL RЄ, which does not align with any deniers that this cataloger could find. Though the basic types were copied by various Italian issuers, the style on this piece is markedly different.

Closing Date and Time: 15 June 2023 at 11:29:00 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.