CNG 108, Lot: 823. Estimate $300. Sold for $500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

BULGARIA, Second Empire. Ivan Asen II. 1218–1241. Æ Trachy (30mm, 2.34 g, 6h). Thessalonica mint. Facing bust of Christ, raising hand in benediction and holding Gospels / Ivan Asen II and St. Dimitrii standing facing, holding star-tipped staff between them. Raduchev & Zhekov 1.2.2; Youroukova & Penchev 35-6; D&D 2.2.1. VF, dark green-brown patina.

From the Iconodule Collection.

The succession of Ivan Asen II reversed a trend of territorial loss and, once again, Bulgaria engaged in a policy of territorial expansion. After recovering the lands lost to it under Boril, Ivan Asen II then occupied Odrin and Albania. Through diplomacy, he regained the cities of Belgrade and Branicevo which had been lost to Hungary, as well as some lands from the Latin Empire. Following Ivan’s major success at Klokotnitsa in 1230, the Epirus Despotate became a Bulgarian vassal. In an inscription from Turnovo in 1230 he entitled himself “in Christ the Lord faithful Tsar and autocrat of the Bulgarians, son of the old Asen.” The Bulgarian Orthodox Patriarchate was restored in 1235 with approval of all eastern Patriarchates, thus putting an end to the union with the Papacy. Ivan Asen II had a reputation as a wise and humane ruler, and opened relations with the west, especially Venice and Genoa, to diversify the trade of his country. The country enjoyed flourishing economy, trade relations were diversified, and around 1235 Bulgaria organized its own navy. In early 1241, Ivan Asen II defeated a column of the Mongol army of Batu Khan as it was retreating from Hungary. This defeat, however, was not decisive, and a new Mongol invasion came not long after Ivan’s death, forcing Bulgaria to become tributary to the Golden Horde.