John V Palaiologos, Copper, Assarion, Thessalonike, 1341-1347
Obverse
Three-quarter-length figure of St. Demetrios holding a spear in right hand and a shield in left hand. / T in right field.
Reverse
Two figures standing and holding patriarchal cross between them: Anna of Savoy at left and John V at right. [ ]C΄ in right field.
Obverse
Three-quarter-length figure of St. Demetrios holding a spear in right hand and a shield in left hand. / T in right field.
Reverse
Two figures standing and holding patriarchal cross between them: Anna of Savoy at left and John V at right. [ ]C΄ in right field.
| Accession number | BZC.2007.6.60 |
|---|---|
| Catalogue ID | as DOC 5.2: plate 47, nos. 855–56 |
| Ruler | John V Palaiologos |
| Date of Reign | 1341–1347 |
| Associated Authority | Anna of Savoy |
| Metal | Copper |
| Denomination | Assarion |
| Mint | Thessalonike |
| Date | 1341 – 1347 |
| Diameter | 14.0 mm |
| Weight | 0.58 g |
| Relation of Dies | 6:00 |
| Shape | Flat |
Acquisition History
From S. Bendall, 19 July 2007. From Longuet’s “Salonica Hoard.”
Commentary
The identification of the figures on the reverse follows Shea (see pp. 307–8), who proposes that this coin immediately followed that of the kneeling John V (Bendall type 20/Shea type R; cf. BZC.2007.6.58), and that this new type was produced once news of the regency (hence the identification of Anna) reached Thessalonike. This could explain the retention of the St. Demetrios, present on the obverse of Bendall type 17/Shea type P of Andronikos III’s reign.
LPC 246, no. 1.
H. Longuet, “Une trouvaille de monnaies des Paléologues,” no. 12.
S. Bendall, “Longuet’s Salonica Hoard Re-Examined,” no. 21B.
J. Shea, “Longuet’s ‘Salonica Hoard’ and the Mint of Thessalonike in the Mid-Fourteenth Century,” 328, no. 60 (type S).