1 Follaro

Historical Context: This 1 Follaro coin originates from Antivari, a crucial Adriatic maritime city (modern Bar, Montenegro) during the tumultuous 14th century. This era saw the city navigate complex political landscapes, often oscillating between Venetian, Serbian, and Hungarian suzerainty, yet frequently asserting its economic and civic autonomy. The issuance of its own copper coinage, like this follaro, underscores Antivari's status as a significant trade hub and its ability to maintain local economic independence, vital for everyday commerce.

Artistry: The specific engraver of this follaro remains anonymous, typical for medieval civic issues. Stylistically, it belongs to the broader medieval Adriatic tradition, characterized by functional rather than highly refined artistic execution. While specific design details for this reference are not provided, follari from Antivari commonly feature a prominent central cross, symbolizing the city's Christian identity, often with rudimentary legends or monograms. Designs are generally simple, reflecting the coin's utilitarian purpose.

Technical/Grading: As a 14th-century copper issue, the technical strike quality of this follaro would typically exhibit variability. High-points for preservation assessment include the central device (e.g., cross arms or emblem) and surrounding legends, often weakly struck or partially off-flan. Production involved hand-hammering, leading to irregular flan shapes, inconsistent strikes, and variable die alignment. The 2.11 gram weight falls within the expected range for follari of this period, though examples may show slight deviations from tolerances and wear.