Antonio Venier Billon Tornesello

Antonio Venier was Doge of Venice from 1382-1400. During the 18 years of his rule in Venice there were extraordinarily high waters, two plagues, numerous fires and disasters of various kinds, but through it all he showed great strength of character. These coins are small billon 1 Tornesello which were minted in Venice but designated for use in Crete. The obverse shows the winged lion of St. Mark with nimbus to the left, holding a book of Gospels with the legend VEXILIFER VENETIA. The reverse has a cross within a circle and the legend +ANTO’ VENERIO DVX. They grade Very Fine