Grosso 1300 - 1360, Coin from Bulgaria, Second Kingdom of - detailed information

The Medieval Bulgarian grosso (gros, gross) was a small circulating silver coin struck in the Second Bulgarian Kingdom in the 14th century. In modern Bulgarian language it is spelled грош (grosh or grosch), plural грошове (groshove). The name was originally introduced in 13th-century France as [denarius] grossus, literally "a thick penny", whence Old French gros, Italian grosso, Middle High German gros(se), Low German and Dutch grōte and English groat. In the 14th century, it appeared as Old Czech groš, whence Modern German Groschen.

No contemporary Bulgarian documents have survived, so it is not actually sure if the coins were thus called at the time. In style, the coins were imitative of the contemporary Venetian or other Western European coinage. They circulated until the end of the 14th century, at which time the country was conquered by the Ottomans and independent coinage ceased.

BULGARIA. Second Empire. Anonymous imitative issues, circa 14th century. Grosso (Silver, 20 mm, 1.65 g, 6 h), imitating Venice. St. Mark, on the right, standing facing, holding book of Gospels in his left hand and presenting banner to the doge, on the left, standing facing and holding the 'ducal promise' in his left hand; to left and right, blundered legend. Rev. Christ, nimbate, seated facing on decorated throne and holding book of Gospels with both hands; in field to left and right, IC - XC above pellets. Cf. Raduchev & Zhekov 1.17.1 (for similar type). Some flan cracks and with light areas of weakness, otherwise, about extremely fine.