Grosso of Venice
Encyclopedia
The grosso of Venice is a silver coin first introduced in Venice
in 1193 under doge Enrico Dandolo
. It originally weighed 2.18 grams and was composed of 98.5% pure silver, valued at 26 dinarii. Its name is from the same root as groschen
and the English groat
, all deriving ultimately from the denaro grosso or large penny.
Its value was allowed to float relative to other Venetian coins until it was pegged to 4 soldini in 1332, incidentally the year the soldino was introduced.
In 1332, 1 grosso equalled 4 soldini, or 48 dinarii. It was also known as Matapan, from the eponymous Greek promontory.
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
in 1193 under doge Enrico Dandolo
Enrico Dandolo
Enrico Dandolo — anglicised as Henry Dandolo and Latinized as Henricus Dandulus — was the 41st Doge of Venice from 1195 until his death...
. It originally weighed 2.18 grams and was composed of 98.5% pure silver, valued at 26 dinarii. Its name is from the same root as groschen
Groschen
Groschen was the name for a coin used in various German-speaking states as well as some non-German-speaking countries of Central Europe , the Danubian principalities...
and the English groat
Groat
Groat or Fuppence is the traditional name of an English silver coin worth four English pence, and also a Scottish coin originally worth fourpence, with later issues being valued at eightpence and one shilling.-Name:...
, all deriving ultimately from the denaro grosso or large penny.
Its value was allowed to float relative to other Venetian coins until it was pegged to 4 soldini in 1332, incidentally the year the soldino was introduced.
In 1332, 1 grosso equalled 4 soldini, or 48 dinarii. It was also known as Matapan, from the eponymous Greek promontory.