Medieval Bulgarian Coinage

Before the studies of the Serbian scientist L. Kovachevich appeared, the most common opinion was that the oldest Bulgarian coins are from the period of king Ivan Asen I, so all coins with monogram 36 and all with two images of king’s face are from him, and those with one face and the same monogram are from king Ivan Asen II. However L. Kovachevich proved with certainty in the mentioned above study that these coins are not from these kings, but from Ivan Alexander, and that coins from Ivan Asen I and Ivan Asen II are not known.

These arguments were not accepted from Prof. V. Zlatarski, who describes 5 coins in his article “According to the oldest Bulgarian coins” (Table LXIII 1, 4, 6 and 8 – the other can be found in Vitelov, Tarnovo), which in his opinion are from Asen II. In the collection of coins in the National Museum we found five more examples with images of fortified walls except those, which Prof. Zlatarski had described. From these coins the one in table LXIII 10 next to the king’s head on the left there is M and above it an erased sign (X?) or a horizontal line. The letter M with X above (monogram 29, table LXIX) is found on most of the silver coins of Ivan Alexander and his son Mikhail. So with no doubt the coin in table LXIII 10, and also all other coins with image of two king’s figures on the front part of the coin and with fortified walls on the reverse (table LXIII 4 – 12), are wrongly considered to be from Ivan Asen II – they must have been from King Ivan Alexander and his son Mikhail. This is also confirmed from the comparison of this coin to the silver coins of King Ivan Alexander and his son Mikhail on table LXIV 8 – 12.

We compared the mentioned above coin with the others from this type and found another two ones, comparatively in good shape, on which there is the same letter M on the same place, and the other part is erased. (See Table LXIII 4 and 5). The rest 6 coins are totally erased and the edges is considerably destroyed, but having in mind the mentioned above it could be suggested that all of them had had a letter M and a sign above it, which can not mean anything else than Mikhail. (All this matter was written when to the National Museum was given some Bulgarian copper coins, granted from Mr. P. K. Gabyuv from Tarnovo. There are two coins like mentioned above among these

iw

coins. Mr. Gabyuv says that on one of this coins can clearly be seen at right side – A and

m цр

at the left side – A. But he wasn’t saw that on the other coin with image of fortified walls more clearly can be seen on the same place the letter M and below the abbreviation цр.). These coins are variations with the others copper coins with two king’s images, minted from King Ivan Alexander and his son Mikhail, and on which there is the explained from L. Kovachevich monogram 42 (Table LXIX), because the front part is the same, on the reverse of some of them is depicted only the mentioned monogram, while the reverse of our coins is with fortified walls on it. That’s why on the front part are written the initials Iwa (Iwaнъ Aлεксандъръ) and the abbreviation цр (monogram 4, table LXIX), and on the other part the first letter of his son’s name M (X?) (Mихаил). On some of our coins there is a letter A below the letter M (table LXII 8 and 9), which is maybe from the name Mikhail, as the example with the silver coin from the same king on table LXIV 12, where the letters M and A are gathered in monogram (Table LXIX 30).

The idea about the fortified walls on the reverse of the coins, which concerns us, must have been taken from the Byzantine coins with images of a fortified walls of famous fortress, like the coins of Teodor III, Duka 1255 – 1259 year (see № 6891), Andronik II Paleolog 1282 – 1323 year, Manuil II Paleolog (1391 – 1423). Though nobody of these Byzantine emperors is contemporary of king Iv. Alexander, when his son Mihail (1331 – 1355 year) had ruled with him, but most of them are his predecessors, and it can be supposed that they have given the idea to mint the coins with the fortified walls of the capital city Tarnovo.

Knowing all of these arguments, the copper coins with two king’s images on the front part and the letters Iwa (table LXIII 10), and letter M, and on the rev. part – with fortified walls can be related to the coins of king Ivan Alexander and his son Mikhail.

In the collection of the National Museum we have found another two different coins from king Ivan Asen II, on one of them the rev. part is completely the same with the one from the collection of V. Avramov, published from Prof. V. Zlatarski (table LXIII 1), and the other is with monogram in good repair (table LXIX 43), which letters A C could mean Asen. These coins are described with № 7462 and 7463.

So till now the oldest Bulgarian coins are known to be from Asen II. In “Travelling in Bulgaria” of K. Irechek, page 553 he maintained that in Aitos city he got copper coin from Terteta (1280 – 1290 year) found in the kale of Aitos, and doctor A. Todorov told A. Iliev that in 1884 year he had seen a copper coin from king Ivailo (1277 – 1279 year); However till the resent days its not proved if these coins are correctly defined. Because till now are known the coins of the following Bulgarian kings:

1. Ivan Asen III. 1218 – 1241 year, copper.

2. Mikhail II Asen. 1246 – 1257 year, silver groats.

3. Todor Svetoslav 1295 – 1322 year, silver groats and copper.

4. Mikhail III Shishman 1323 – 1330 year, silver and copper.

5. Ivan Alexander 1331 – 1371 year, silver and copper.

6. Ivan Sracimir (?) – 1398 year, silver groats.

7. Ivan Shishman 1371 – 1393 year, silver half-groats and copper.

Bulgarian golden coins are not known nowadays. Many people consider the Byzantine coins to be Bulgarian, but they are only similar.

Beside the coins from the mentioned Bulgarian kings, we are describing some more Bulgarian copper coins, which are kept in the National Museum, and it is not known with certainty which of the kings minted them.

When we had been describing the Bulgarian coins we were trying to find and describe all the common coins correctly and that’s why we presented most of them in tables. Besides the coins on Table LXIX we also presented all the monograms and signs, of number 96, which can be seen on the Bulgarian coins. If there are monograms or signs, we always indicate № of the monogram in table LXIX when describing the Bulgarian coins.

After the Bulgarian coins we also described those of the Macedonian kings after the collapse of kingdom of Dushan in XIV century. The main material we had used is the writing of Lyubicha (Ljubic, Opis jugoslavenskih novaca, Zagreb 1875) with little changes.

The coins with two-headed eagle.

In the collection of the National Museum among the Bulgarian coins there are six examples of copper coins with an image of a two-headed eagle, which were said to be indefinite till now, even it was doubtful if they are Bulgarian. After careful investigation we concluded that they are Bulgarian and even they belonged to King Mikhail Shishman, as we’ll see below.

There are 14 coins with an image of a two-headed eagle in the collection of Mr. Ruzicka from Bucharest, from which he sent us an impression, and we are very grateful. On three of them could be seen the letter M and the abbreviation цр (monogram 4 Table LXIX),on some of the rest there is the abbreviation цр and tracks from the letter M. The same signs can be seen on the coins from the National Museum, Table LXIV 2 and 3 and Table LXVII 1-7. The sign цр (monogram 4) proves that these coins are Bulgarian, and the letter M could not mean anything else than the first letter from the name of the king, who has minted these coins. From all the Bulgarian kings, who had minted coins, only the names of Mikhail II Asen, Mikhail Shishman and Mikhail, the son of Ivan Alexander, who has ruled with his father and who is imaged on his coins, begin with the letter M so this means that one of those three has minted this coins. The known coins from Mikhail II Asen are only silver with Latin legend and their workmanship and type are very different from those with image of tow-headed eagle, so he couldn’t mint them. It is also known that they couldn’t be from Mikhail, the son of Ivan Alexander, because he died before his father (1355 year) and besides that he didn’t have the right to mint coins, and surely not with his face, as ruler with his father.

Therefore these coins with images of two-headed eagle could not be from another king except from Mikhail Shishman.

The coin which we describe with № 7490 is described also from Ljubic “Opis jugoslavenskih novaca” 1875, p. 23, № 4 and table III 10. However he wrongly supposes that it “can be from Sracimir”. This coin can be seen in the Budapest National Museum and we have its track, for which we are grateful to the main official Mr. Vladislas Rethy. Comparing it with our coins it is the same type and workmanship, but it is another variation and belongs to the same king (See the image on № 7490).

The Byzantine two-headed eagle imaged on the coins, for the first time is seen on the described from us coins, and after that he passed to the other nations. Byzantine coins with an image of two-headed eagle are not known by nowadays. Only one coin with this image is said to be from the Trapezund Emperor Manuil Komnin (1390 – 1417 years), if it is proved to be his coin – is later minted with about 63 years.

Mikhail Shishman mints these coins probably with political purpose, after his wife Neda, the sister of Urosha III, was driven away in the year 1324, and after married to Teodora, the sister of Andronik junior, and widow of king Svetoslav. The purpose of this marriage was to get some territories from Byzantium like dowry and in the same time he concluded a military contract, when they met in Odrin or Dimotik, (See Past, 1911, II, p. 33). This happened in 1327 year, when we suppose the coins were minted, which we are discussing, as a result from this contract and the relation with the Byzantine court.

For more information about this question see the article “Bulgarian coins with two-headed eagle”, Bulletin of the Bulgarian Archeological Association, 1912 year, volume III, p 81-97.

Bulgarian kings

IVAN ASEN II. (1218 – 1241)

Copper (cupreous).

7461. Front part. King’s figure with crown on his head, decorated with pendant of pearls, standing opposite, holding in right hand sceptre marked with points, and in the left hand – long cross. The coin, at the right side of the king’s figure is erased and its edge is considerably destroyed, but notwithstanding can be seen that the coin was larger and on the empty space, at the right side of the king’s figure, was imaged another figure. The intact part of the grain circle also proves that the coin was appreciable larger.

Rev. : On the middle of the coin is long vertical line, which top ending with letter w; at the left side of the main line is sign looks like a, and at the right side – literature that means ц and р and above – letter looking like н and next to it с; erased letters below. The legend must to be read (I)waн(ъ) Aс(ћ) и (ъ) царк (monogram 85, table LXIX). The coin is little korubesta. Table LXIII 1.

*7462. Front part. On the middle of the coin is long vertical line, which top ending with letter w; below it, at left – little line looking like I(?) and below it a; next to the letter a, at left, remainder of the abbreviation цр. At the right side of the vertical line, next to the letter a is set the letter c, and next to it – ligature of ц р, over the ligature erased letter н(?), and at beneath end of the middle line – a sign, which is coiling around the main line, and which together maybe means ћ and л? All means Iwaнъ Aсћнъ царъ. (Monogram 84).

Rev. : Bust of Christ opposite, and above the signs Iс – χс. Table LXIII 2.

The coin is very thin; this coin is in the National Museum and is in section of indefinite Bulgarian coins. But we accept that the coin described at № 7461 is from Ivan Asen II.

*7463. Front part. King’s figure with crown on the head standing opposite, holding in right hand cross or sceptre with cross, and in the left – globe with cross above (country). Over the left king’s shoulder – the abbreviation цр (monogram 8, table LXIX), and under his left hand – monogram A and С (monogram 43).

Rev. : Cross, which end below is decorated with acanthuses. Table LXIII 3.

This coin we think that belong to Ivan Asen II, because there is monogram that must mean Aс(ћнъ). The coin is in the National Museum.

Mikhail II Asen (1246 – 1257 year) Silver groats.

*7464. Front part. Saint standing, with right hand giving standard with long staff to the king, who is standing bare-headed, left, taking with right hand the standard, and in the left hand holding sceptre or scroll. At right side legend: MIHL, and at left ASЄNV; between the king’s head and the standard – the letters I and P, one over another. (Mihael Asenus Imperator).

__ ___

Rev. : Christ seated on a throne opposite, with the abbreviations IC – XC; with his both hands resting on the throne, and in his lap – Gospel; on his right breast – the sign χ. Table LXIII 13.

7465. Front part. The same image like the one above. At right side legend ASοRΠIV (instead of ASЄNV), and at left: MIHοЄL; between the king’s head and the standard – the letters I, P and T, one over another. (imperaтor).

__ ___

Rev. : Christ seated on a throne opposite with the abbreviations IC – XC.

Mikhail II Asen and Irina (1246 – 1257 year) Silver groats.

7466. Front part. The king left, and the queen right standing opposite, with high, cogged crowns, wearing in splendid kings clothes, holding together double-cross and their free hands are on their breasts. At right legend: ч. мıаıл, and at left ч. срıна.

__ __

Rev. : Christ seated on a throne opposite with the abbreviations Ic – Xc. His both hands are on the throne, and in his lap – Gospel.

Teodor Svetoslav (1295 – 1322)

Silver.

*7467. Front part. Сватслав цр блгаром. The king standing with short crown on his head, wearing in long, decorated dress, holding in right hand sceptre and cross, and the left hand is on his breast.

__ __

Rev. : Ic – Xc. Christ seated on a throne blessing with his right hand, and the left hand in on his breasts; in his lap – Gospel. Table LXIII 14.

7468. Front part. The same legend with little changes. The same image.

Rev. : The same. See Table LXIII 14.

7469. Front part. The same legend. The king bearded standing, with short crown on his head, holding in right hand sceptre with cross, and in the left – scroll or is on his breasts.

Rev. : The same. See Table LXIII 14.

*7470. Front part. Сватслав цр бблгаром. The same image.

Rev. : The same. See Table LXIII 14.

*7471. Front part. The same legend with little changes. The same image.

Rev. : The same. See Table LXIII 14.

7472. Front part. The same legend with little changes. The same image.

Rev. : The same. See Table LXIII 14.

Copper.

*7473. Front part. ΘЄΟ. – цр. The king with short crown on his head on horse advancing right, in right hand holding sceptre with cross. All within grain circle.

Rev. : Cross made from 4 triangles within grain circle. The coin is korubesta. Table LXIII 15.

ΔΡ

*7474. Front part. ΘΟ – цр. The same image.

Rev. : The same. See Table LXIII 15.

P

*7475. Front part: цр – ΘCO. The same image.

Rev. : The same. See Table LXIII 15.

P

*7476. Front part: ΘЄO – цр. The same image.

Rev. : The same. See Table LXIII 15.

*7477. Front part: ΘO. – цр. The same image.

Rev. : The same. See Table LXIII 15.

*7478. Front part: Tow king’s figures standing, holding cross together. Christ seated on a throne. Table LXIII 16.

Mikhail III Shishman (1323 – 1330)

Silver.

*7470. Front part: King with short crown on his head on horse advancing right, holding

__

in right hand cross and in the left – the bridles of the horse; above the horse, at left, mx, and at right – the abbreviations ЦРЬ. (monogram 13, table LXIX).

Rev. : Christ wearing long dress seated on a throne, blessing with right hand, holding in

__ __

left hand Gospel. Next to his head the signs Ic – Xc. Table LXIII 17.

*7480. Front part: The same image; above the horse MIX and the abbreviation цр. (monogram 2, table LXIX)

Rev. : The same. See Table LXIII 17.

7481. Front part: The same image; above, at left MIX, at right ЦР Б.

Rev. : The same. See Table LXIII 17.

__

7482. Front part: The same image; above, at left mx, and at right ЦРЬ.

Rev. : The same. See Table LXIII 17.

__

7483. Front part: The same image; above the horse, at left mx, and at right црь.

Rev. : The same. See Table LXIII 17.

*7484. Front part: The same image; above, at left MX, and at right ЦРЬ. (monogram 13.)

Rev. : The same. See Table LXIII 17.

7485. Front part: The same image; above, at left MX, and at right the abbreviation ЦР. (monogram 4, table LXIX)

Rev. : The same. See Table LXIII 17.

Copper.

*7486. Front part: The king with crown on his head on horse advancing right, holding in right hand cross, and in the left – the bridles of the horse; in the margin, below the cross the abbreviation цр. (monogram 5, table LXIX).

Rev. : Monogram, which means Mikhail king. (monogram 33.) Table LXIII 18.

*7487. Front part: The same image; below the cross MX, and at right to the king’s head – the abbreviation цр. (monogram 4, table LXIX).

Rev. : Monogram 52. Table LXIII 19.

*7488. Front part: Two king’s figures wearing king’s clothes, with short crowns on their heads standing opposite, holding together high cross. In the margin, at right: миχаил.

Rev. : Monogram 52, (table LXIX.) Table LXIII 20.

7489. Front part: The king in king’s clothes, with short crown on his head standing opposite, holding in right hand cross, and in the left – globe with cross or scroll? In the margin, below the right king’s hand – erased letter M, and below the left hand – the abbreviation ЦР. (monogram 4, table LXIX).

Rev. : Two-headed eagle with wings spread. Above, in the margin, between the eagle’s heads – track of star? Table LXIV 1.

7490. Front part: The king with short crown on his head standing opposite, holding in right hand cross and in the left is on his waist. In the margin, below the right hand of the king monogram 19, (table LXIX) and above his left hand probably the abbreviation цр. (monogram 4, table LXIX).

Rev. : Two-headed eagle with wings spread; at left, between the eagle’s heads – six-pointed star.

*7491. Front part: The same image. Below the right hand of the king – the letter M, below the left hand – the abbreviation ЦР. (monogram 4, table LXIX).

Rev. : Two-headed eagle with wings spread. Table LXIV 2.

*7492. Front part: The same image. Below the right hand of the king – tracks from the letter M and star, in the margin, next to his left shoulder – the abbreviation ЦР. (monogram 4, table LXIX)

Rev. : Two-headed eagle with wings spread; above can be seen tracks from star. Table LXIV 3.

*7493. Front part: Cross, which end below is decorated with aqantile leafs. (monogram 93, table LXIX).

Rev. : Two-headed eagle with wings spread. Table LXIV 4.

*7494. The same front part (monogram 93, table LXIX).

Rev. : The same image. Table LXIV 5.

*7495. The same front part (monogram 93).

Rev. : The same image. Table LXIV 6.

*7496. The same front part (monogram 93).

Rev. : The same image. Table LXIV 7.

7497. Front part: The king with crown on his head standing opposite, holding in right hand cross, and with the left hand down holding some object; at each side of the king’s shoulders – the abbreviation ЦР. (monogram 4, table LXIX); in the margin, below the right hand of the king – six-pointed star.

Rev. : The same. Table LXVII 4.

7498. Front part: The king with crown on his head standing opposite, holding in right hand cross, and in the left – globe with cross on it (country); next to the left shoulder – six-pointed star.

Rev. : Two-headed eagle with wings spread. Above, between the eagle’s heads can be seen some sign, probably crown, and between the heads and the wings of the eagle – three points in triangles. Table LXVII 5.

7499. Front part: The king with crown on his head standing opposite, holding in right hand cross and below it – letter M. Below the left hand of the king – six-pointed star.

Rev. : Two-headed eagle with wings spread. Table LXVII 6.

7500. Front part: The same king’s figure, holding in right hand cross, and the left hand is down. Next to the left king’s shoulder – the abbreviation цр. (monogram 4, table LXIX).

Ivan Alexander and his son Mikhail. (1331 – 1355)

Silver:

*7501. Front part: King Ivan Alexander and his son Mikhail standing opposite with short crowns on their heads. Mikhail standing at right side with the right hand on the breasts, holding in left hand cross; at left king Alexander with left hand on his breasts, holding in right hand cross. Between them – standard with long staff; above at the Alexander’s head monogram 36 (table LXIX), and below his right hand monogram 24; at the Mikhail’s head the abbreviation цр. (monogram 4), below his left hand monogram 29. At their feet, at each side of the staff – star.

Rev. : Christ standing opposite with opened arms aside, blessing; at his head IC – XC, below his right hand monogram 36 and below the left hand – the abbreviation цр. (monogram 3). Table LXIV 8.

*7502. The same coin, korubesta. Table LXIV 9.

*7503. Front part: The same king’s figures in the same position. At their heads are the same monograms 46 (table LXIX). Below the right hand of king Alexander monogram 23 and below the left hand of Mikhail monogram 29. Below, between Alexander and the staff – star.

Rev. : The same. Table LXIV 10.

*7504. Front part: The same king’s figures in the same position. At their heads are the same monograms 46 (table LXIX). The seal on the front part of this coin is in negative form and that’s why the king’s figures are with shifted places – Mikhail at left and king Alexander – at right; by the same reason and the monograms are changed: 32 at left and 23 is at right. Two stars below.

Rev. : The same in positive form. Table LXIV 11.

*7505. Front part: The same king’s figures – king Alexander at left and Mikhail at right. At their heads the same monograms 46 (table LXIX). Below the right hand of king Alexander the abbreviation цр. (monogram 4), below the left hand of Mikhail monogram 30. Two stars below.

Rev. : The same. Table LXIV 12.

Among the lot of the groats in the Bulgarian National Museum are the images of king Ivan Alexander and Mikail and this one is unique with monogram 30.

*7506. Front part: The same king’s figures in the same position. At their heads are the same monograms 46 (table LXIX). Below the right hand of king Alexander monogram 21 and below the left hand of Mikhail – letter M.

Rev. : The same. See Table LXIV 8 – 12.

*7507. Front part: The same king’s figures in the same position. At their heads are the same monograms 46 (table LXIX). Below the right hand of king Alexander monogram 28 and below the left hand of Mikhail monogram 29.

Rev. : The same. See Table LXIV 8 – 12.

*7508. Front part: The same king’s figures in the same position. At their heads are the same monograms 46 (table LXIX). Below the right hand of king Alexander monogram 24 and below the left hand of Mikhail monogram 29. See Table LXIV 8 – 12.

*7509. Front part: The same king’s figures in the same position. At their heads are the same monograms 46 (table LXIX). Below the right hand of king Alexander monogram 22 and below the left hand of Mikhail – letter M and above one line from the letter X.

Rev. : The same. See Table LXIV 8 – 12.

*7510. Front part: The same king’s figures in the same position. At their heads are the same monograms 46 (table LXIX). Below the right hand of king Alexander monogram 22 or 23 and below the left hand of Mikhail monogram 29.

Rev. : The same. See Table LXIV 8 – 12.

*7511. Front part: The same king’s figures in the same position. At their heads are the same monograms 46 (table LXIX). Below the right hand of king Alexander monogram 24 and below the left hand of Mikhail monogram 29. Two stars below.

Rev. : The same; below the right hand of Christ monogram 86 and below the left hand monogram 3. See Table LXIV 8 – 12.

For the present this coin is unique and Lubic Opis, p. 16 and table II 11, because of unfinished form of the monogram 86 on the reverse, which he accept for monogram 27, he ascribe to king Petr, brother of Asen I. However this mistake is emended by Kovachevich, who proved that this coin is of king Ivan Alexander and his son Mikhail too.

7412. Front part: The same king’s figures in the same position. Above, between the heads of king Alexander and the standard monogram 10 (table LXIX) and below his right hand monogram 25; below the left hand of Mikhail – C, and two stars below.

Rev. : The same image of Christ; below his right hand – C, and below the left – monogram 31.

Lubic Opis, p. 3, № 1 ascribe this coin to king Simeon. However this mistake is emended by Kovachevich again, but he read the letters conversely for abbreviation of Спасъ Мироу, and Prof. Zlatarski for Сыноу МиχаилS and thinks that that king of coins can be seen seldom. So they must had been minted in honour of some important event – the death of the Alexander’s son Mikhail, and for his memory.

*7513. Front part: The same king’s figures in the same position. Between the head of Alexander and the standard – the abbreviation цр. (monogram 3, table LXIX).

Rev. : Christ and the signs IC – XC, standing opposite with hands opened aside, blessing.

*7513a. Little – half- groats. Table LXIV 13.

Copper:

*7514. Front part: King Alexander and his son Mikhail with crowns on their heads standing opposite and holding standard together. In the margin, on the left to the king’s figures, above, can be seen tracks from letter M and beneath it – A and the abbreviation цр. (monogram 4, table LXIX), and at right A and the same abbreviation.

Rev. : Fortified walls with vault door in the middle. Table LXIII 4.

*7515. Front part: The same image. In the margin, left from the king’s figures tracks from the letters M A, and below the abbreviation цр. (monogram 4, table LXIX). The right part of the margin is erased and hardly can be seen the abbreviation цр. (monogram 4).

Rev. : Fortified walls with vault door in the middle; in the exergue, between the door-still and the grain circle, can be seen lines looking like N and R or H. Table LXIII 5.

*7516. Front part: The same image. The left part of the margin is erased and cannot be

Iw

seen any letters. At the left part can be seen the letters a and the abbreviation цр. (monogram 4, table LXIX).

Rev. : Fortified walls with vault door in the middle. In the margin at left the letter T and on the right of this letter and above – P. Table LXIII 6.

*7517. The same image. In the margin, on the left of the figures, is in good shape only the upper part of the abbreviation цр (monogram 4, table LXIX). In the margin, on the right of the figures is the letter A and the abbreviation цр.

Rev. : Fortified walls with vault door in the middle. Table LXIII 7.

*7518. The same image. The edge of the coin, at left of the king’s figures is considerably destroyed and only the letter A can be hardly seen, and the abbreviation цр (monogram 4, table LXIX). In the margin, at the right of the figures can be seen the letter A and the abbreviation цр (monogram 4).

Rev. : Fortified walls with vault door in the middle. Table LXIII 8.

*7519. Front part: The same image. In the margin, at left of the figures can be seen only the letter A and the abbreviation цр. The margin, at right of the figures is erased.

Rev. : Fortified walls with vault door in the middle. Table LXIII 9.

*7520. Front part: The same image. In the margin, above and at left from the king’s figures can be seen the letter M and below cannot be seen anything, because the coin is greatly rusty; in the margin, at right from the king’s figures hardly can be seen the letter A, but clearly can be seen the abbreviation цр (monogram 4).

Rev. : Fortified walls with vault door in the middle. Table LXIII 10.

*7521. Front part: The same image. At left side the margin is destroyed through next to the figure. At right in the margin hardly can be seen the abbreviation цр (monogram 4).

Rev. : Fortified walls with vault door in the middle. The door-still is marked off with double lines. Between the door-still and the grain circle can be seen some cuts looking like letters. Table LXIII 11.

*7522. Front part: The same image. Below the right hand of the king’s figure, at right can be seen letter A. The front part is not in good shape.

Rev. : Fortified walls with vault door and windows above the door; below the door – door-still and sign, which looks like letter Π. The coin is korubesta. Table LXIII 12.

*7523. Front part: King Alexander and his son Mikhail with crowns on their heads standing opposite. Between them – standard with long staff.

Rev. : Monogram 47 (table LXIX). Table LXIV 14.

*7524. Front part: The same king’s figures.

Rev. : Monogram 47 (table LXIX). Table LXIV 15.

*7525. Front part: The same king’s figures.

Rev. : Monogram 48 (table LXIX). Table LXIV 16.

*7526. Front part: The same king’s figures.

Rev. : Monogram 47 (table LXIX). Table LXIV 15.

*7527. Front part: The same king’s figures.

Rev. : Monogram 50 (table LXIX). Table LXIV 17.

*7528. Front part: The same king’s figures.

Rev. : Monogram 46 (table LXIX). Table LXIV 15.

7529. Front part: The same king’s figures. Between the head of king Alexander, who is at right on this coin, and the standard is the abbreviation цр., and below his left hand monogram 36 (table LXIX).

Rev. : Monogram 48. Table LXIV 15.

Ivan Alexander (1355 – 1371)

Silver.

*7530. Front part: King Ivan Alexander with richly decorated mantle on shoulder and short crown with pendant of pearls at side on the head, standing opposite, holding in right hand high cross and below the hand – monogram 44 (table LXIX); in the left hand holding globe with cross on it (country); above his left hand the abbreviation цр (monogram 4), and below monogram 28 and M.

__ ___

Rev. : Christ and the signs IC – XC, seated on a throne opposite. Table LXIV 18.

*7531. Front part: The same image of king Alexander. Above, at his right hand star and below monogram 45 (table LXIX); above his left hand the abbreviation цр (monogram 4), and below ΓP.

Rev. : Christ and the signs IC – XC, seated on a throne opposite, blessing with right hand. Table LXIV 19.

*7532. Front part: The same image of king Alexander; below his right hand monogram 34 (table LXIX), above his left hand the abbreviation цр (monogram 4) and next to the monogram – star, and below ΓP. Sometimes the letter M is ligature with Λ (monogram 32).

Rev. : The same. Table LXIV 20.

*7533. Front part: The same image of king Alexander. At his right hand monogram 34 (table LXIX); above his left hand the abbreviation цр (monogram 4) and below tracks from Б.

Rev. : The same. Table LXV 1.

*7534. Front part: The same image of king Alexander. Below the right hand of the king hardly can be seen monogram 38 (table LXIX) and below, between the cross and the dress of the king vertically are set in order and in negative form the letters БδЛ, and on the left of the cross monogram 28 and ОМЬ; above the left hand of the king the abbreviation цр (monogram 13).

Rev. : The same, but Christ blessing with right hand and in left hand holding Gospel and is extended.

7535. Front part: The same image of king Ivan Alexander. Above, at the right hand of the king – cross (or star?) and below this hand monogram 45 (table LXIX); above his left hand the abbreviation цр (monogram 4) and below the hand ГР

M.

Rev. : Christ and the signs IC – XC, seated on a throne opposite, blessing with right hand. See Table LXV 1.

7536. Front part: The same image of king Ivan Alexander. At the right king’s hand – star and below the star monogram 45 (table LXIX); between the cross and his dress another star. Above the left king’s hand the abbreviation цр (monogram 4) and below the hand ГР

M.

Rev. : The same. See Table LXIV 19.

Copper.

*7537. Front part: King Ivan Alexander in king’s clothes, with crown decorated with pendants of pearls at each side, standing opposite, holding in right hand short cross; below the right hand monogram 36 (table LXIX); his left hand is extended; above the left hand, next to the king’s head, the abbreviation цр (monogram 13).

Rev. : Cross decorated below with acanthuses and above the signs IC – XC (monogram 94). Table LXV 2.

7538. Front part: King Alexander in king’s clothes and with short crown, decorated with pendants of pearls at each side standing opposite, holding in right hand long cross and below the hand can be seen monogram 36 (table LXIX), and in left hand holding globe with cross on it (country); below his left hand the abbreviation цр (monogram 4).

Rev. : Cross with double lines and below the signs IC – XC; the cross is decorated below with acanthuses, which can be seen hardly. Monogram 96. Table LXV 3.

7539. Front part: King’s figure standing opposite. Rough workmanship.

Rev. : Monogram 41 (table LXIX). Table LXV 4.

*7540. Front part: King Alexander in king’s clothes and crown on the head, decorated with pendants of pearls at each side, standing opposite, his right hand is on his breasts (probably holding cross) and below the hand tracks from monogram 36 (table LXIX), and the left hand is on his waist. In the margin, at his left hand the abbreviation цр (monogram 4).

Rev. : Cross made from oval rods and above the signs IC – XC; the cross is decorated below with acanthuses (monogram 94). Table LXV 5.

Ivan Sracimir (? – 1396)

*7541. Front part: The king with short crown on his head seated on a throne opposite, at each side of the throne – lily; the king is holding in right hand sceptre with cross on its top, and in the left – scroll; legend around: +IW CRAЦИМИР ЦРББ or ЦРББЛ.

Rev. : Christ’s bust opposite, blessing with right hand and holding in left hand Gospel; above, at his head the abbreviations IC – XC. Around, in grain circle: + IW CRAЦИМИР Ц ББЛВ or БЛГАР. Table LXV 6.

7542. The same coin half-groat.

Ivan Shishman (1371 – 1393)

Silver.

*7543. Front part: King Ivan Shishman in king’s clothes and with short crown, decorated with pendants of pearls at each side, standing opposite, holding in right hand short cross and below the hand IW, and the left hand is on his breasts. There is at his left hand, in the margin monogram 53 and the abbreviation цр (monogram 4).

Rev. : Bust of St. Bogoroditsa and signs at the sides – M – Θ, holding in hands the youth Christ with medallion of saint on his breasts. The Bogoroditsa is with right raised hand. Table LXV 7.

*7544. Front part: The same image of king Ivan Shishman with the same signs.

Rev. : Bust of St. Bogoroditsa opposite with raised hands and the signs at sides M – Θ. There is medallion of Christ on her breasts. Table LXV 8.

w

*7545. Front part: The same image of king Ivan Shishman; at his right hand ш, and at the left hand the abbreviation цр (monogram 6)

Rev. : The same. See Table LXV 8.

Copper.

*7546. Front part: Monogram 69 (table LXIX)

Rev. : Lion standing left with raised tail. Table LXV 9.

*7547. Front part: Monogram 55.

Rev. : The same.

*7548. Front part: Monogram 56.

Rev. : The same.

*7549. Front part: Monogram 57.

Rev. : The same. Table LXV 10.

*7550. Front part: Monogram 58.

Rev. : The same. Table LXV 11.

*7551. Front part: Monogram 14.

Rev. : The same. Table LXV 12.

*7552. Front part: Erased monogram.

Rev. : The same. Table LXV 13.

*7553. Front part: Monogram 59.

Rev. : Monogram 13. Table LXV 14.

*7554. Front part: Monogram 60.

Rev. : Monogram 15. Table LXV 15.

*7555. Front part: Monogram 62.

Rev. : Monogram 16.

*7556. Front part: Monogram 63.

Rev. : Monogram 13. Table LXV 16.

*7557. Front part: Monogram 64.

Rev. : Monogram 13. Table LXV 17.

*7558. Front part: Monogram 65.

Rev. : Monogram 12. Table LXV 18.

*7559. Front part: Monogram 54.

Rev. : Erased.

*7560. Front part: Monogram 59.

Rev. : Erased. Table LXV 19.

*7561. Front part: Monogram 68.

Rev. : Monogram 16.

*7562. Front part: Monogram 71.

Rev. : Monogram 17. Table LXVI 12.

*7563. Front part: Monogram 65.

Rev. : Monogram 16. Table LXVI 11.

*7564. Front part: Monogram 63.

Rev. : Monogram 18. Table LXVI 1.

*7565. Front part: Monogram 81.

Rev. : Cross. Monogram 92. Table LXVI 2.

*7566. Front part: Monogram 69.

Rev. : Cross. Monogram 91. Table LXVI 3.

*7567. Front part: Monogram 70.

Rev. : Cross. Monogram 90. Table LXVI 4.

*7568. Front part: Monogram 67.

Rev. : Cross. Monogram 91. Table LXVI 5.

*7569. Front part: Monogram 76.

Rev. : Letter E and cross. Monogram 89. Table LXVI 6.

*7570. Front part: Monogram 58.

Rev. : Cross. Monogram 90. Table LXV 20.

*7571. Front part: Monogram 67.

Rev. : Cross. Monogram 90. Table LXVI 7.

*7572. Front part: Monogram 74.

Rev. : Cross. Monogram 92.

*7573. Front part: Monogram 58.

Rev. : Cross. Monogram 92. Table LXVI 8.

*7574. Front part: Monogram 74.

Rev. : Cross. Monogram 92. Table LXVI 9.

*7575. Front part: Monogram 75.

Rev. : Cross. Monogram 92. Table LXV 21.

*7576. Front part: Monogram 76.

Rev. : Cross.

*7577. Front part: Monogram 59.

Rev. : Turkish legend, from which can be seen only a word (Zarabi), which means mint. The most important part of the legend – the part that indicates the place where the coin is minted (the city) is missing, because that part is erased. Table LXVI 10.

This coin was found in Tarnovo. To Mr. G. Balaschev thinking this coin must be is minted after king Ivan Shishman had became vassal of his son-in-law sultan Murada. (Past I, p 93.).

Indefinite copper coins.

*7578. Front part: King’s figure with crown on the head standing, holding in right hand cross.

Rev. : Bust or Christ holding Gospel. Table LXVI 13.

*7579. Front part: King’s figure standing opposite, holding in right hand cross. In the margin, at his left hand ⊢ and at the right Є.

*7580. Front part: King’s bearded bust, holding in right hand cross, decorated with acanthuses (Ivan Alexander?). Monogram 94. Table LXVI 14.

*7581. Front part: King’s bust opposite, holding in right hand standard or lily, and in the left – cross. Below from the standard – letter looking like letter M and above the abbreviation цр (monogram 4). Above the king’s head – cross and some sign.

Rev. : Bust of saint. Table LXVI 15.

*7582. Front part: King’s bust opposite, holding in right hand cross.

Rev. : Cross decorated below with acanthuses and there are 4 points in each of the sections above. (Ivan Alexander? monogram 93). Table LXVI 17.

*7583. Front part: The same king’s bust.

Rev. : Cross decorated below with acanthuses and above the signs Ic – Xc. (Ivan Alexander? Monogram 94). Table LXVI 17.

*7584. Front part: King’s figure standing opposite with right hand on the waist; in left hand quasi holding globe with cross on it (country). In the margin, at the right hand can be hardly seen horizontally letters looking like ал and above can be seen the abbreviation цр (monogram 4).

Rev. : Bust of a saint opposite. The coin is korubesta. Table LXVI 16.

Probably this coin is from king Ivan Alexander.

*7585. Front part: Monogram 78.

Rev. : Monogram 79.

*7586. Front part: Monogram 82.

Rev. : Monogram 13.

*7587. Front part: The monogram is erased.

Rev. : Monogram 12. (Ivan Shishman?).

*7588. Front part: Monogram 80.

Rev. : Monogram 13. Table LXVI 16.

Macedonian kings from the Dushan kingdom after its crumbling in XIV century.

King Valkashin (1366 – 1371)

Boyar from Dushan’s court, Valkashin was ruler of province Prilep. However, after the Dushan’s death in 1366 Valkashin proclaimed himself for sovereign of north-west Macdonia till his death by killing, in 1371.

7589. Front part: Christ standing, the signs IC – XC, with right raised hand blessing and the left hand is down; five stars are set in vertically order at each side of the margin.

Rev. : King Valkashin in king’s clothes with opened crown on his head standing opposite, holding in left hand sceptre and next to him, at his right side is standing queen Helena, his wife, with closed crown decorated with pendants of pearls, holding in right hand cross. Between them – long, triple cross. There is legend in the empty margin, at both sides of the king’s figures: ка-лъ влккашн. Table LXVIII 1.

*7590. Front part: Christ seated on a throne opposite and the signs IC - +C.

Rev. : Following legend in five lines: вБ ха Ба Блго върнии кра влъ каши.

*7591. Front part: The same.

Rev. : Legend: + въ ха Ба Ба (instead of Бл) го вђ (inverted) рнии краль в кашинъ. Table LXVIII 2.

7592. Front part: Christ standing, the signs IC – XC, with right raised hand blessing and the left hand is down. Around the legend: сνст слсνат (свет саваот свет).

Rev. : Legend in 4 lines: Блго вђрни кра Блг каши. Table LXVIII 4.

*7593. Front part: Christ standing opposite with both hands on his breasts. At sides – 4 stars set in vertically order.

Rev. : Legend in five lines: вь хьа Ба Благовђрнии кралђ кльш. Table LXVIII 3.

7594. Front part: The king with crown on his head, on horse advancing right, holding in right hand double cross, and in the left – the bridles of the horse. Above, at the king’s shoulders the abbreviation кр ль and below the horse – six-pointed star.

Rev. : Circle crossed by helmet and above the helmet – square base; above the base – big eight-pointed star, and woman’s head above. Around the circle – legend; кралич a Єлђна. All in grain circle. Table LXVIII 5.

Krali-Marko (1371 – 1394)

Krali marko and his father Valkashin ruled together in west Macedonia, and after his father died he pronounce himself for independent king with capital Prilep.

7595. Front part: Christ seated on a throne opposite and the signs IC – XC.

__ __

Rev. : Legend in 5 lines вь ха - Ба Блов ђрин кр aль ма рко. Table LXVIII 6.

7596. Front part: Christ standing opposite and the signs IC – XC, blessing with right hand. At sides – 4 stars set in order, vertically.

Rev. : Legend in 5 lines: вь ха - Ба Блгов ђрин кр aль ма рко. Table LXVIII 7.

7597. The same front part.

Rev. : Legend in 3 lines: + Благо врђиss акра м. Table LXVIII 9.

Despot Ioan Oliver (middle of XIV century)

Oliver was from family of Deianovtsi, which are kin of the Macedonian leader Jarko. He occupied some positions in Dushan and at last oppressive position. His possession was close to Onche-pole and Lesnovo. After Dushan died he pronounce himself for independent king of ruled from him lands and minted coins with the sign of the Bulgarian kings, (monogram18), probably imitating Bulgarian coins or Dushan’s ones.

7599. Front part: Despot Oliver bare-headed seated on a thront opposite, holding in right hand cross; at each side of the throne the abbreviation сфь – црь.

Rev. : Helmet right and square base, with 3 pint on each end, above, over the base – bare-headed bust with sceptre from points at his left shoulder. Legend around: monitΛ D ЄSPOT OLI. Table LXVIII 10.

7600. Front part: The same image. At each side of the throne sщь – црь.

Rev. : The same legend around and the same image, but there is on the helmet on this coin . Table LXVIII 11.

7601. Front part: Christ seated on a throne opposite and the signs IC – XC; at the throne the letters I and D.

Rev. : Legend around; monitA DЄSPOTI OLI. Within is imaged two-headed eagle with wings spread. Table LXVIII 12.

Konstantin (? – 1394)

Konstantin was king of north Macedonia with capital Velbuzd (Konstendil). He minted coins like despot and Turkish vassal.

7602. Front part: Christ seated on a throne opposite and the signs IC – XC.

Rev. : Despot Konstantin in king’s clothes and with high crown on his head standing opposite; at his left side is standing bare-headed saint and holding together double high cross; around the coin legend that must be red inverted: БтопсЄдх Биндьтсок. Table LXVIII 13.

7603. Front part: Christ seated on a throne, blessing with right hand, and the signs IC – XC.

Rev. : In the middle of the coin are set in order in 3 lines, cross-shaped, the following letters: к тди п (Konstantin Despot). Table LXVIII 14.

7604. Front part: Saint standing opposite, with right hand censing, and in left hand holding book. Around legend: S. STЄFAnu. – SCUTARI.

Rev. : Konstantin in king’s clothes, with high crown on his head seated opposite, holding in right hand sceptre, which top is decorated with flower, and in the left – globe with cross on it (country). Around the coin is legend: D COST-Aп-TINUS. Table LXVIII 15.

Known is and another coin from Konstantin, but with Turkish legend, minted by him when he was vassal of sultan Murada in 1383. On the one of the sides can be seen the Turkish words “Заръби Константинъ 785 г.”, and on the other side of the coin are illegible words. We learn from the legible words that this coin is minted in Kiustendil. Table XVIII 16.

Jupan Andreia Gropa (XIV century)

We learn from a legend in the church old St. Kliment in Ohrid, that Jupan ruled the region of Ohrid.

7605. Front part: Christ standing opposite, blessing with right hand and in left hand holding a book. Short chair at his feet. In the margin at left and at right are set vertically 3 or 44 S.

Rev. : Legend in 5 lines: по ма ти Б жи – жsпан – гропа – I….I. Table LXVIII 18.

Kniaz Dimitr (XIV century)

Kniaz Dimitr was third son of Valkashin and probably he ruled independent some part of his father’s lands, because there is famous coin from him.

7606. Front part: Christ seated on a throne opposite; in his lap – book. In the margin, at each side of the throne – flower.

Rev. : Legend in 4 lines: .:+Бл:. – аговђ – рни рI - :. Iєдрк. Table LXVIII 17.