Grosso - Philip I of Savoy

Historical Context: This silver grosso was issued by Philip I of Savoy, Prince of Achaea, between 1301 and 1307. Philip’s tenure as ruler of this prominent Crusader state in the Peloponnese was brief and marked by political complexities following his marriage to Isabella of Villehardouin. His reign represented a transitional phase for Achaea, caught between lingering Byzantine influence, feudal disputes, and Western European dynastic ambitions. The grosso, a key Western European denomination, underscores the principality's economic ties to the West during a period of Crusader states' gradual decline.

Artistry: While the specific engraver remains anonymous, the coin’s design reflects the prevalent Western European gothic stylistic school adapted for a Crusader context. Achaean coinage typically features the enthroned Prince or his bust on the obverse, accompanied by Latin legends detailing his name and title. The reverse invariably displays a prominent cross, often within a decorative border, symbolizing the principality’s Christian foundation. The overall aesthetic, though often provincial, aims for a clear depiction of authority and religious devotion.

Technical/Grading: Struck in silver to a weight of 2.11 grams and a diameter of 20 millimeters, this grosso typically exhibits variable strike quality common to early 14th-century manual minting. High-points for wear and strike often include the ruler’s crown or facial features on the obverse, and the central elements of the cross on the reverse. Collectors should anticipate some degree of off-centring, areas of flatness, and potentially incomplete or weakly struck legends, characteristic of the era's production methods.