{"product_id":"1570-venetian-cyprus-bisante-siege-of-famagusta","title":"1570 Venetian Cyprus Bisante (Siege of Famagusta)","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1570 Venetian Cyprus Bisante Siege of Famagusta MB#11 Copper\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDescription:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRare \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1570 Venetian Cyprus Bisante\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e struck during the desperate \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOttoman Siege of Famagusta\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — one of the last major Venetian holdings on the island. These emergency copper coins were minted to pay troops and buy provisions when traditional silver was exhausted.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eObverse:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Winged Lion of St. Mark or standing saintly figure, partial legends including “PRO REGNI CYPRI…”.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReverse:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Multi-line inscription “VENETORVM FIDES INVIOLABILIS BISANTE” with date and symbols.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e•\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDenomination:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Bisante (emergency siege coin)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e•\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eComposition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Copper\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e•\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e ~2.46–4 grams range (typical for type)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e•\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiameter:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e ~27 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e•\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrade\/Condition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Worn circulated example with readable legends for the type. Honest siege-era patina.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical Context (The Gory Details):\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the summer of 1570, the Ottoman Empire invaded Cyprus, quickly taking Nicosia. Famagusta held out in a brutal year-long siege. As supplies ran low, the Venetians struck these crude copper coins to keep the garrison paid and fed. The city finally fell in August 1571. Commander \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMarcantonio Bragadin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e suffered a horrific fate — he was flayed alive, and his stuffed skin was sent as a trophy to the Sultan. This coin is a direct survivor from one of the Mediterranean’s most infamous sieges.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA powerful Renaissance-era artifact for Venetian, Cypriot, or military history collectors. This is an excellent deal at this price point and I think it will make someone very happy!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCoin pictured is the exact one you will receive.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Global Numismatica ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45157616353395,"sku":null,"price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0674\/1639\/1795\/files\/IMG_5197.jpg?v=1783208787","url":"https:\/\/globalnumismatica.com\/products\/1570-venetian-cyprus-bisante-siege-of-famagusta","provider":"Global Numismatica ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}