Andronikos III Palaiologos, Copper, Assarion, Thessalonike, 1328-1341
Obverse
Three-quarter-length figure of St. Michael standing and holding sword or spear in right hand and shield in left hand.
Reverse
Andronikos III Palaiologos standing, wing to right, holding scepter in left hand and haloed cross in right hand.
Symbol
in left field.
Obverse
Three-quarter-length figure of St. Michael standing and holding sword or spear in right hand and shield in left hand.
Reverse
Andronikos III Palaiologos standing, wing to right, holding scepter in left hand and haloed cross in right hand.
Symbol
in left field.
| Accession number | BZC.2007.6.6 |
|---|---|
| Catalogue ID | as DOC 5.2: plate 51, no. 930 |
| Ruler | Andronikos III Palaiologos |
| Date of Reign | 1328–1341 |
| Metal | Copper |
| Denomination | Assarion |
| Mint | Thessalonike |
| Date | 1328 – 1341 |
| Diameter | 19.0 mm |
| Weight | 1.6 g |
| Relation of Dies | 6:00 |
| Shape | Cup |
Acquisition History
From S. Bendall, 19 July 2007. From Longuet’s “Salonica Hoard.”
Commentary
On the haloed cross, characteristic of Thessalonian issues since the thirteenth century, see Morrisson, “The Emperor, the Saint, and the City : Coinage and Money in Thessalonike from the Thirteenth to the Fifteenth Century,” 183–84n52, who refers to the abstract of a paper given by Oikonomides on the “equal-armed cross inscribed in a circle.” This type was favored by Bogomils and Cathars, but should not necessarily be considered a token of heresy. Fourteen steles bearing that type of cross were found in the necropolis of the ancient Slavic-speaking village of Gialatzik (Nea Khalkedona), between Thessalonike and Giannitsa.
LPC 238, no. 9.
PCPC 50, no. 258.1 (this coin)
H. Longuet, “Une trouvaille de monnaies des Paléologues,” no. 6.
S. Bendall, “Longuet’s Salonica Hoard Re-Examined,” no. 6.
J. Shea, “Longuet’s ‘Salonica Hoard’ and the Mint of Thessalonike in the Mid-Fourteenth Century,” 320, no. 10 (type H).