SERBIA. Nikola Altomanovic, Zupan, 1363-1373. Gros (Silver, 18 mm, 1.11 g, 12 h). +Bb XA / БA БΛΑΓΟ/BЄPHИ ЖOΠΑNb / HИKO ('in Christ God, Niko Zupan faithful to God' in Serbian) in five lines. Rev. Christ, nimbate, seated facing on decorated throne and holding book of Gospels with both hands; in field to left, IC over trefoil; in field to righ, XC over trefoil. Jovanovic, SMC 2014, p. 123, 1.2. Extremely rare and of great historical importance. A beautifully toned example. Light scratches and with some areas of weakness, otherwise, good very fine.


Nikola Altomanović was the Zupan (a Slavic title referring to the head of a tribe or high administrative official) of the house of Vojinović, an important medieval Serbian family. Altomanović was a capable military leader who took part in the Battle of Maritsa in 1371 against the Ottomans. Unfortunately for him, the Zupan was captured and blinded two years later by the famous Prince Lazar Hrebeljanović, who later became a saint and martyr of the Orthodox Church. Coins of Zupan Nikola Altomanović are among the great rarities of Serbian coinage.