Coronation silver grosh, Tarnovo mint

Metal: Silver
Mint: Tarnovo
Diameter: 18 mm
Weight: 1.16 g
Rarity: R10 — fewer than 5 known — regarded as unique

Obverse

Bust of Jesus Christ with long hair and beard. Around His head is a beaded nimbus, in which a cross is inscribed. The arms of the cross are decorated with one pearl each. Christ is dressed in a chiton and sindon. With His right hand He blesses sideways, and in His left hand He holds a Gospel before His chest. In the field on both sides of the head are the initials ІС - ХС.

Reverse

Half-length image of Tsar Ivan Shishman with long hair, beard, and mustache. The ruler wears a semi-circular crown with pendilia and a beaded halo. He is dressed in a sakkos and maniakion. In his left hand, over which a loros is draped, the tsar holds an anexikakia, and in his right hand a sceptre with a cross. In the field to the left is the monogram Ш(Н) (Shishman), and to the right the abbreviation of the title царъ - Чр.

Reconstructions

Line drawings reconstructing the coin's design from the surviving specimens.

Also struck by Ivan Shishman

Coin photographs and reconstruction drawings from A. Radushev & G. Zhekov, Catalogue of Bulgarian Medieval Coins IX–XV c. (Agató, 1999).