Denaro - Dorino I Gattilusio D

Historical Context: The Denaro of Dorino I Gattilusio, Lord of Lesbos, originates from a pivotal era (1428-1449). As a prominent Genoese Gattilusio, Dorino I governed the strategically vital island of Mytilene amidst the encroaching Ottoman Empire. His reign marked relative stability and economic activity, where Lesbos functioned as a semi-independent principality. This coinage reflects the local authority and commercial needs of the Gattilusio lordship, navigating complex political landscapes shortly before the eventual Ottoman conquest.

Artistry: The design of this bronze Denaro adheres to late medieval numismatic traditions of the Latin East, blending Byzantine influences with Western European heraldry. While engraver details are unrecorded, the stylistic school prioritizes legibility and symbolic representation over intricate detail. Typically, such denars feature the Gattilusio family emblem—perhaps a tower or eagle—and the ruler's name, 'DORINO,' often abbreviated or monogrammed, on the obverse. The reverse commonly displays a Christian symbol, such as a cross, reinforcing the lordship's identity.

Technical/Grading: Struck in bronze, this Denaro measures 18 mm and weighs 1.55 grams, characteristic of a small-denomination coin for daily transactions. High-points for wear typically include central devices, such as cross arms or raised heraldic elements. Technical strike qualities often exhibit irregularities: flans are frequently off-round, and the strike can be weak or uneven, particularly along legends, leading to partial inscriptions. Corrosion, common for excavated bronze coinage, may obscure finer details, while centering is often imperfect.