Details for denomination: Grosso - A guide to the coins of the Medieval period

The Grosso

One other type of Venetian coin is found in medieval England – the silver grosso. The grosso (English ‘groat’), was the first higher value silver denomination minted anywhere in Western Europe from the late 12th century. The grosso is roughly the same size as the English medieval penny (circa 19mm), and is easily identifiable by its depiction of the Doge and St Mark standing either side of a banner on the obverse, and Christ enthroned on the reverse.

An example image of a grosso (continental groat)
Obverse description: Doge (left) St Mark (right) standing either side of a banner.
Obverse inscription: SM.VENETI [Name of Doge] DVX
Reverse description: Christ enthroned
Reverse inscription: Often IC/XC either side of head.
Diameter: circa 19mm.
Weight: circa 2g.