W. C a r e w H a z l i t t Coinage of the European Continent

Descriptive O^ltline of the Coinages of Europe 427
the dogate of Arrigo or Enrico Dandolo, who introduced the
piece. Yet both in its general fabric and aspect the matapan
found many imitators some : successful, as the moneyers
of the mediaeval Servian coin of fine silver repeatedly struck
by the Bans of the fourteenth century others
; barbarous, like
the corresponding currency of Bulgaria. However, the fact
that the Bulgarian counterpart was in existence under Ansan
I. (i 186-96) may either help to shew that the original model
was not posterior at all events to 1192,01- that Bulgaria
borrowed the pattern immediately from a Greek source.
The principal authority for the Venetian series is
Schweitzer, of whose work, as well as of the other labourers
in the same field, we have already had occasion to speak
somewhat at large. It may be said that the coinage of the
republic
is chiefly striking from the following points of
view :
The introduction of the Grosso (about 1192).
Gold Ducat (about 1284).
Lira Tron (with bust of the Doge).
Bagattino (with bust of the Doge).
The experimental circulation of a second gold variety (the scudo).
The adoption of a species of bimetallism by the issue of a silver ducat
(about 1559).
The larger recourse to the inferior metal (1571-95).
The issue of a new type of gold ducat (1606-12).
The colonial monetary system.
The Osella series.
We have referred to the grosso. The gold ducat of the first
type followed it at a distance of about a century and more
;
than 200 years elapsed before (about 1501) the moiety
appeared nor is
any quarter known anterior to I
577. The
;
more modern ducat was of thinner and broader fabric ;
but
minute variations are perceptible in those of the original
module. The silver ducat also underwent changes of detail.
It is sufficiently remarkable that in the second half of the
sixteenth century, three large silver denominations, the ducat,
the giustina, and the scudo di croce, with their numerous
fractions, circulated concurrently, while to the gold ducat
was added the half, and not long after the quarter ;
and