Medieval Venice | Copper Torneselos

History of the Artifact Venetian bronze torneselo coins were small-denomination copper or billon (low-silver content) coins minted by the Republic of Venice, especially prominent between the 13th and 15th centuries. They were originally inspired by the denaro tornese of the Kingdom of Naples, but Venice adapted the design to suit its own commercial empire. The torneselo, sometimes also referred to as tornesello in Italian, was introduced as a practical coin for everyday trade, particularly in Venice's overseas colonies and maritime holdings in the eastern Mediterranean. It played an essential role in local economies where higher-value silver or gold coins were impractical for small transactions. The design featured a cross on one side, a common motif in Christian Europe at the time, while the reverse depictes the winged lion of St. Mark, holding the book of Gospels with both front paws all in inner circle. Because these coins were produced for use in Venetian colonies like Crete, Negro