Sale: CNG 79, Lot: 1435. Estimate $300.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 17 September 2008.  Sold For $380. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BULGARIA, Second Empire. Dobrotitsa / Dobrotici. Despotes in Karvuna, 1366–1386. Æ Trachy (1.60 g, 6h). Four pellets in diamond pattern in central field; [+]ДЄС above, ПОС below; T to left, ligate OY to right / Iω above, T below; four pellets in diamond-shaped pattern on either side. Raduchev & Zhekov Type 1.16.1-2; Youroukova & Penchev 142. VF, green and brown patina.

Dobrotitsa / Dobrotici was a Bulgarian noble, ruler of the de facto independent Principality of Karvuna and the Kaliakra fortress from 1366–1386. In 1369 Dobrotitsa and Vladislav I of Wallachia helped Ivan Aleksander retake the town of Vidin from the Hungarians. In return, the emperor, needful of supporters, gave Dobrotitsa control of several coastal cities, including Varna. There, Dobrotitsa constructed a fleet, which he used to patrol the Black Sea. Although it was small, this fleet was very effective, and engaged the Genoese and Ottoman fleets successfully as far as Trebizond. At Dobrotitsa’s death, he was briefly succeeded by his son, Ivanko Terter (1386–1387).