Please Note: This is an authentic Venetian Grosso, and you will receive the exact pendant in the photographs and description.
FOR PENDANT SIZE SEE COIN DETAILS BELOW
These precious silver coins were minted in Venice… but not the Venice, Italy we think of today, but in the Republic of Venice that encompassed the famed city, with canals and lagoons, that tourists still explore in wonder today.
A stronghold of Christianity, and a neighbor of the influential Byzantine Empire, Venice embraced the powerful spiritual art of the Byzantines, and it is from this artistic tradition that the Venetian Silver Grosso was born.
Featuring the sacred, haloed Christ enthroned and holding the Gospels, this high-grade silver Venetian grosso also features St. Mark the Evangelist, patron Saint of Venice, and the Doge of Venice on the other side.
Framed on the edge around Christ is the Latin phrase TIBI • LAVS • 7 • GLORIA which translates to “To You, glory and praise.” And between St. Mark and the Doge is the Oriflamme – a banner and sacred symbol of Divine intervention, devotion and courage.
April's Notes: Working with these regal coins is truly a joy.
Excellent details on both sides. Very nice Latin legend and Nimbus Halo around Christ enthroned. Excellent stars and visible oriflamme banner with St. Mark holding the Gospels.
Impressive condition for its age.
By the middle 5th Century, the once dominant Roman Empire was a fragmented group of on-again, off-again allied or warring regions. The glory of Rome was no longer.
In what is now Northern Italy, with little to no Roman military to protect them from enemies in the north sacking their cities, the citizens fled to the northern shores of the Adriatic Sea and found refuge at a vast lagoon.
Out of the ashes of the once great Roman society rose Venice. Shortly after, the Most Serene Republic of Venice was founded and eventually grew to encompass vast areas of coastline along the Adriatic Sea that even had small colonies in the Mediterranean, facilitating trade with Europe to the west, and the expanse of the Mediterranean and beyond to the North and East.
The Republic of Venice survived for 1,100 years, and as a major European trading and military power during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, it was Italy's most successful maritime republic.
This genuine authentic Venetian Italian grosso coin was struck by the Doge of Venice and was a highly respected trade currency due to its high-grade silver content compared to other European coins of the time.
What is the Doge of Venice?
Through a complex voting process, the Doge was an elected official that was the highest authority within the Republic of Venice, and acted as both the chief magistrate, head of state, and head of the Venetian aristocracy. He was said to be the wisest of all Venetian citizens.
The beautiful and intricate artwork on this coin is inspired by much older Byzantine art.
By the rule of Byzantine Emperor Justinian II (685–695), Byzantine coins began transitioning from the earlier Roman designs to a more distinctly Byzantine look in both art and symbolism. Justinian was the first to picture Jesus Christ on the obverse of his coinage, with a half, or full-length, depiction of the Emperor on the reverse. As this style of coinage progressed, the ruler would sometimes add a saint, Jesus’s mother Mary, or a family member next to him.
Out of this tradition, the symbols and legends on the Venetian Grosso were born:
Reverse: Christ enthroned facing front, dressed in the pallium and the columbium, blessing with the right hand and holding the Gospels with the left - Latin Legend: TIBI • LAVS • 7 • GLORIA meaning “To You, glory and praise.”
Obverse: the Doge and St. Mark standing facing each other, holding together the oriflamme of the Republic; in the field, vertically D/V/X; in the field, on each side, a star - Latin Legend: ANTO • VENERIO • S • M • VENETI meaning “Antonio Vernier, Saint Mark of Venice.”
The oriflamme is a banner flown for Divine protection, and to inspire devotion and courage. And, on the stunning silver Grossi of Venice, the banner is held aloft to this day.
To see our full collection of treasure coins bearing the image of Jesus Christ, click here>>>
with your treasure coin purchase. Choose your chain and enter Coupon Code: CHAIN at checkout. (Does not apply to discounted clearance chains.)
with your treasure coin purchase. Choose your chain and enter Coupon Code: CHAIN at checkout. (Does not apply to discounted clearance chains.)
Questions? Confused? Looking for a gift? We're experts at matching treasure to people. Give us a call at 503.436.1626, join us on Live Chat, or drop us an email at treasure@cannonbeachtreasure.com.
Questions? Confused? Looking for a gift? We're experts at matching treasure to people. Give us a call at 503.436.1626, join us on Live Chat, or drop us an email at treasure@cannonbeachtreasure.com.
