1/2 Grosso - Stephen Uroš V

Historical Context: This 1/2 Grosso coin was issued by the City of Cattaro (Kotor) during the reign of Stephen Uroš V, the last Serbian Emperor, from 1355 to 1371. This period marked the rapid decline and fragmentation of the once-mighty Serbian Empire following the death of his father, Stephen Dušan. Uroš V, often termed "the Weak," struggled to maintain central authority as powerful regional magnates asserted their independence. Cattaro, a vital Adriatic port city, leveraged its strategic position and economic importance to maintain significant autonomy, including its long-standing right to mint coinage, even while nominally under Serbian suzerainty. This issue reflects Cattaro's enduring commercial vibrancy and its ability to sustain its own currency amidst a politically turbulent era.

Artistry: The engravers responsible for these dies remain anonymous, typical for municipal mints of the 14th century. The stylistic school adheres to the prevailing medieval numismatic traditions of the Balkans, showing influences from both Byzantine and Venetian coinage due to Cattaro's extensive trade networks. Designs for the 1/2 Grosso would typically feature a simplified representation of the city's patron saint, Saint Tryphon, on the obverse, often accompanied by his name in Latin or Serbian Cyrillic. The reverse would commonly display the ruler's name or monogram, sometimes alongside a cross or other heraldic elements, all rendered with the characteristic directness and functional simplicity of the period's hammered coinage.

Technical/Grading: Struck in silver, this 1/2 Grosso weighs 0.64 grams and measures 18 millimeters, indicating a small, thin flan. For grading purposes, critical high-points susceptible to wear include the central features of any depicted saint or ruler (e.g., head, hands) and the raised elements of the legends. Technically, hammered coinage of this era frequently exhibits inconsistencies such as irregular flan shapes, off-center strikes, and variable strike pressure, leading to areas of weakness or flatness, particularly on the periphery. Double striking or ghosting of the design is also common. The small size and relatively low weight often exacerbate these production quirks, making well-centered and fully struck examples particularly desirable.