SERBIA. Stefan Uros IV Dusan, as king, 1331-1345. Gros (Silver, 19 mm, 1.28 g, 11 h), presumably a contemporary imitation of the Bulgarian Despotate of Dobrotitsa (Dobruja). STЄFANVS - [I]NPЄRAT Ornamented helmet with feathers on top. Rev. R - O Christ, nimbate, seated facing on decorated throne and holding book of Gospels with both hands; in field to left IC; in field to right, XC. Jovanovic (SMC) 11-12.2 var. (INPERATOR). Rare and lightly toned. Tiny scratches, some deposits and a minor flan fault on the edge, otherwise, nearly very fine.


According to Jovanović, this rare coin type, which occurs with a remarkable number of legend variations, was likely an imitation from mints operating in the Bulgarian Despotate of Dobrotitsa (Dobruja).

In that region, locally produced imitations circulated alongside officially issued Serbian and Bulgarian coinage. Because the imitative pieces often closely resemble their Serbian prototypes, separating unofficial issues from official Serbian strikes is exceptionally challenging in many cases. Nevertheless, Jovanović specifically singles out the present type as one of the series most commonly copied in Dobruja (cf. Jovanovic, SMC, p. 52).