Venice (Republic) AR Grossi (Matapan), lot of 3, 13th c, pierced/looped

Venice (Republic), lot of three Grossi (Matapan), AR, Dogal issues of the 13th century, c. 1193–late 1200s; c. 2.15 g each; 21 mm. Obverse: Doge and St. Mark standing facing, holding the banner between them; legend S M VENETI with the doge’s name and DVX (various). Reverse: Christ seated facing on throne, nimbate, wearing pallium and colobium; barred IC XC across field; triangular privy marks at inner left by the leg and to right of the waist. Struck on thin, broad flans; all three pierced for suspension, two retaining added loops; peripheral flatness and areas of encrustation from mounting and circulation. For the type see Papadopoli, Le Monete di Venezia (grossi of the 13th century); CNI VII (Venice); Paolucci, Le monete dei Dogi di Venezia; A. M. Stahl, Zecca. Introduced under Enrico Dandolo around 1193, the Venetian silver grosso became a principal trade coin of the Mediterranean, circulating widely from Italy to the Levant and the Crusader states and inspiring numerous imitations. Its consistent high silver standard supported Venetian long-distance commerce, while the types—Christ enthroned and St. Mark with the doge—express the republic’s civic identity and religious patronage. Control symbols such as the triangles on the reverse helped differentiate issues and dies within the large 13th‑century output.