The Early Dated Coins of Europe 1234-1500

In The Early Dated Coins of Europe, 1234-1500, Robert A. Levinson presents for the first time, a comprehensive listing in chronological order, by region, state, and mint, of all the known types of gold, silver and copper dated coins struck in medieval Europe bearing an Anno Domini date of 1500 or earlier. These early dated coins, form one of the first links between medieval and modern coinage. Anno Domini dating of coins using Latin script did not begin until the mid-13th century, and did not become prevalent in Europe until three centuries later. The book focuses on the eight distinct regions in which coins were issued: Germany, Southern Netherlands, Northern Netherlands, Hapsburg lands, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Italy, and France and organizes the known pre-1501 Anno Domini dated coins chronologically within each region. For the first time, there is for each of the nearly 1200 coins listed (twice as many as in the Frey work), the full legends, descriptions, ruler names, references, weights and rarity. There are nearly 1000 photographs and line drawings, and given the extreme rarity of the majority of the coins, this in itself represents an extraordinary undertaking. It is in four parts: The first is a lengthy history of early dated coinage, including discussions of the types, metallurgy, classifications, etc. The second part is the 173 page catalogue of coinage, divided into the eight regions. The third part is a listing, again by region, of all the states issuing early dated coinage, with a history of each state s coinage and a cross-reference to all the coins listed in the catalogue. The fourth part contains eight appendices with alphabetical listings, translations of legends, a photographic glossary of coin types, a listing of early dated coinage using Islamic script, and other useful information. A a loose-leaf price guide is also included.