Trifollaro - Roger I MARIA MATER DNI

Roger I introduced this coin type as part of a deliberate monetary policy following his consolidation of Sicily from Arab and Byzantine control. The bilingual and bicultural character of his court — where Arabic, Greek, and Latin administrators worked alongside one another — is reflected in the coinage he authorized, which drew simultaneously on Islamic flan and weight traditions and Latin Christian iconography. The Trifollaro itself derives its denomination structure from the Byzantine follaro system already familiar to Sicilian users.

MEC 14, 1 places this as the opening entry of the entire Southern Italy and Sicily volume — not an accident.