ĐURĐE I BALŠIĆ IN THE LIGHT OF COINAGE

The name of the Balšić feudal family was mentioned for the first time in 1360, in a charter of Serbian emperor Uroš. They have ruled Serbian mediaeval district of Zeta more than a half century (1365-1421). Their coinage is scarce; it is believed that only 260 pieces of coins minted by members of this family survived altogether.
As for the coinage of Đurđe (George) I Balšić, the most prominent member of this family, it could be divided in seven groups. Type I is represented by AR Dinar, 1.04 g, dia. 18 mm. It has on obverse inscription in four lines, and on reverse image of Christ sitting on the throne with high back. Coins of type II are represented by AR Dinar of 0.97 g and 18 mm, with inscription in four lines on obverse and Serbian coat of arms of Rascia on reverse. AR Dinars of Type III also have inscription in old Serbian Cyrillic letters in four lines on obverse, and head of the wolf and helmet on reverse, with initial „G“, while Type IV has inscription in five lines on obverse, on reverse head of the wolf, a helmet and name „Gyurg“ in Cyrillic’s. Coins belonging to Type V are represented by AR Dinars which are 18-19 mm in diameter, having inscription in five lines on obverse and head of the wolf differently designed than at the previous species. The only known piece (in the Museum of Slavonia in Osijek) is damaged; it has only 2/3 of its surface. The newly discovered Type VI, or variety of the 4th and the 5th type, represents the piece that is described and illustrated for the first time in this article, and it is the only known piece of that kind up to now. It is AR Dinar, 0.7 g, diameter 17 mm, with inscription in five lines on obverse (same as type IV), and the same reverse as type V, but due to the good condition we can see now the complete design of that reverse type. Finally, coins of Type VII are represented by AR Dinar of smallest size (0.5g, 10 mm). The only known piece arise from the Lj. Kovačević collection, now in the National Museum in Belgrade.