Medieval Italy, Venetian Republic (14Th-15Th Century), Various Doges, Grosso(C)

The Venetian Grosso was the paramount trade coin of the Later Medieval Mediterranean World, its importance reflected the power and influence of Venice as a great trading power. According to tradition, the Grosso was introduced by Enrico Dandolo, the Doge who financed the Fourth Crusade to Constantinople in 1202, to help pay for the expedition. Its design remained largely unchanged for several hundred years. Struck from silver at a fineness of 98.5%, the purest medieval metallurgy could make, it was trusted and accepted everywhere.