Angevin Gigliato

The Angevin Gigliato's design featured a prominent fleur-de-lis on its obverse, a French symbol that Charles of Anjou used to legitimize his rule in Naples after his 1266 conquest, turning a foreign emblem into local currency.

Weighing about 4 grams of silver, these coins were struck in Naples and other southern Italian mints, with variations in die quality that reflected the era's makeshift minting techniques. The reverse typically showed a cross, emphasizing the coin's role in both commerce and religious iconography.

Exact mintage figures are lost to history, likely destroyed in medieval record-keeping mishaps. That said, the Gigliato's wide circulation helped standardize trade across the Mediterranean.

Imitations popped up everywhere, which some might find amusing given the original's straightforward design.