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

In the High Middle Ages, Venice became wealthy through its control of trade between Europe and the Levant, and began to expand into the Adriatic Sea and beyond. Venice was involved in the Crusades almost from the very beginning and as a consequence started to acquire colonies in and around the Aegean at Corone and Modone in the Peloponnese, Negroponte in Euboea and on Crete. The low value debased metal Tornesello was introduced in 1353 CE to provide for the coinage needs of these colonies.