Medieval, Andrea Contarini (1368-1382), 1 tornesello
Obverse: cross in the rim
✠-ANDR'OTAR'DVX-.
Reverse:Lion of St. Mark with Bible in the rim
✠VEXILIFER-VENETIA-.
Silver, weight 0.64 grams, diameter 17.3 mm
One tornesello minted for Venetian doge Andrea Contarini. Contarini became famous for donating essentially his entire fortune to the Venetian Republic and for winning the Battle of Chioggia in 1380, bringing an end to the war with Geuna. The Venetian Republic during the Crusades reaped huge profits from transporting crusaders and trading with the newly established principalities in the Holy Land. Venice worked closely with the principality of Achaia for centuries.
