2020-04-16 Thu

Stephan Uros IV Dusan- also known as Dusan the Mighty was the King of Serbia reigning from 1331. Today on 16th April in the year 1346 he crowned Emperor of the Serbs, Greeks, and Albanians and ruled here till his death in 1355.

He was the greatest ruler of medieval Serbia, who promoted his nation’s influence and gave his people a new code of laws. During his reign trade, mining, and manufacturing enjoyed considerable growth, and ecclesiastical architecture and the arts flourished.

Dusan’s popularity was especially great during the era of national awakening and wars for liberation in the 19th century. Dusan died in 1355, seen as the end of resistance against the advancing Ottoman Empire and the subsequent fall of the Eastern Orthodox Church in the region.

Depicted here is a silver sword Dinar issued under his reign. The obverse of a coin represents Christ enthroned, holding Book of Gospels. The reverse of a coin engraved Dusan riding a horse, holding scepter with a cross.

Image Source: Heritage Auctions