Coat of ArmsThe Second Bulgarian Empire

Silver grosh, Tarnovo mint, third type

Ivan Shishman1371-1395
Ivan Shishman — silver — 1.15.9-12
Ivan Shishman — silver — 1.15.9-12
Ivan Shishman — silver — 1.15.9-12
Ivan Shishman — silver — 1.15.9-12
Ivan Shishman — silver — 1.15.9-12
Ivan Shishman — silver — 1.15.9-12
Ivan Shishman — silver — 1.15.9-12
Ivan Shishman — silver — 1.15.9-12
Metal
Silver
Mint
Tarnovo

Obverse

Variant A. Bust of St. Theotokos (She who is wider than the heavens) with a pearl nimbus, holding Jesus Christ in Her lap. Around the head of Christ there is a nimbus with a cross inscribed. With both hands raised high, the Theotokos blesses. In the field on both sides are the initials М - Θ. Variant B. The image is as in Variant A, but below the initials М - Θ are groups of three dots.

Reverse

Schematic depiction of Tsar Ioan Shishman full-length, with stemma with pendilia. He is dressed in divitision and maniakion. The loros is draped over his left arm. In his right hand the tsar holds a sceptre with a cross. In the field to the left is the monogram IW (Iwanъ, sometimes missing the I and the ligature), and to the right ШШ (Shishmanъ) and the abbreviation of the title царъ - Ѱ.

Reconstructions

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

  • Ivan Shishman — 1.15.9-12
  • Ivan Shishman — 1.15.9-12

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).

Silver grosh, Tarnovo mint, third type of Ivan Shishman — The Second Bulgarian Empire