CNG 100, Lot: 493. Estimate $500. Sold for $650. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CRUSADERS, Principality of Achaea. Robert de Taranto. 1333-1364. AV Ducat (22mm, 3.50 g, 12h). Uncertain mint. Struck after circa 1346. (horizontal retrograde S)/N/V/Є/N/Є/T/I D/V/X ΛZЭR DΛNDVO, St. Mark standing right, holding Gospels and presenting banner to Doge kneeling left / ZIT T XPЄ DΛDTV ROIZ IZTЄ DVCΛTT, Christ Pantokrator standing facing within mandorla containing nine stars. Cf. Ives pl. XIII; cf. Schlumberger p. 21 (additions) and pl. XXI, 19-22; cf. Gamberini 344; Friedberg 38a var. (K on obv.); CNG 93, lot 1442 (same dies). Good VF, toned, minor die flaws.

From the collection of Dr. Lawrence A. Adams, purchased from Edward J. Waddell, August 1984.

The Venetian style imitative ducati copying the types such as Andrea Dandolo are traditionally attributed to Robert d'Anjou (de Taranto) as the Prince of Achaea, but their widespread circulation and their numerous varieties leaves open the possibility of other minting sites, such as Chios under Genoa or Mytilene under the Gattilusi, as these venues served as the principal trade currency of the Crusader east for several decades in the last half of the 14th century.