Middle Ages, Charles I or II of Anjou (Andegavian)(1278-1289), denarius, Clarentz Mint
Obverse: cross in rim
✠-K.R.PRINC'ACh
Reverse:Castle
:✠:DG:CLARENTIA
Silver, weight 0.86 grams, diameter 19 mm
In 1205, the principality of Achaia was established in the lands of the Byzantine Empire following the Fourth Crusade. It existed until 1432. The principality was considered one of the strongest Latin states in Greece. In the principality of Achaia, also known as the Principality of Mareia, the rulers minted silver coins. These were mostly denarii called tornesel , tornesol, tornesel or denier tournois (tournament denarius). They had a cross in the rim and a legend on the obverse, and a castle (or church ?) in the rim and a legend on the reverse. They differed among themselves in the legend, decoration, punctuation marks and marks under or around the castle on the reverse. These coins were minted at mints in Clarentza, Athens, Naupaktos, Karytain, Corfu, Tinos, Salon, Neopatra, Atra and Chios. These are beautiful medieval coins from which a large and varied thematic collection can be created with a small outlay.
