King Roberto Gigliato Pendant

Description:

This medieval silver coin was hand struck seven centuries ago in Naples, Italy and features a cross fleurée with lis in the four quadrants. The legend HONOR REGIS IUDICIU DILIGIT translates to “ The honor of the king loves justice.” The reverse side shows King Roberto D'Angiò seated on a throne with the bust of two lions. He is holding a fleur-de-lis tipped scepter and a globus cruciger, which was a Christian symbol of authority during the Middle Ages. The legend reads OF ROBERT GRA IERLETSICILIE REX "Roberto by the grace of god, king of Jerusalem and Sicily." The silver gigliato minted during the reign of Robert D'Angiò was at the time, one of the purest coins in silver content and its design was widely imitated.
Roberto, known as Roberto the Wise, was King of Naples and titular King of Jerusalem from 1309 to 1343. He was a central figure of Italian politics of his time and was nicknamed "The Peace-Maker of Italy." Under Roberto's rule, superb buildings and monuments drastically changed his capital Naples from a dirty seaport to a city of elegance and medieval splendor. The University of Naples flourished with his patronage and attracted students from all parts of Italy. He is remembered as a cultured man and a generous patron of the arts, that was unique among the kings of that period.