Bezant is a medieval name for a gold coin. Gold coins were not minted in early medieval Western Europe, silver and bronze being the currency of choice, but they did circulate there in small numbers, originating from the Mediterranean region. Islamic and Byzantine gold coins, in particular, were highly prized. These gold coins were commonly called bezants, taken from the word Byzantium, the Latinized form of the original Greek name (Βυζάντιον or "Byzántion") of the capital, Constantinople, where the gold coins typically came from, and were associated with, since the time of Constantine I. The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times. ... Gold coins are one of the oldest forms of money. ... A current understanding of Western Europe. ... This article is about the chemical element. ... This article is about the metal alloy. ... The Mediterranean Sea is an intercontinental sea positioned between Europe to the north, Africa to the south and Asia to the east, covering an approximate area of 2. ... Islam (Arabic: ; ( â–¶ (help· info)), the submission to God) is a monotheistic faith, one of the Abrahamic religions and the worlds second-largest religion. ... Anastasius 40 nummi and 5 nummi Byzantine currency, money used in the Eastern Roman Empire after the fall of the West, consisted of mainly two types of coins: the gold solidus and a variety of clearly valued bronze coins. ... This article is about the city before the Fall of Constantinople (1453). ... Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus[2] (27 February c. ...

The first bezants were Byzantine solidi. Later, the term referred to gold dinars minted in the Islamic Caliphates that were themselves modelled on the solidus. Bezant was used by Venetians to refer to the Egyptian gold dinar and Marco Polo referred to the bezant in the account of his travels to East Asia when describing the currencies of the Yuan Empire.^[1] His descriptions were based on the conversion of 1 bezant = 20 groats = 133⅓ tornesel.^[2] Julian solidus, ca. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Islamic Dinar. ... For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ... A caliphate (from the Arabic خلافة or khilāfah), is the Islamic form of government representing the political unity and leadership of the Muslim world. ... Borders of the Republic of Venice in 1796 Capital Venice Language(s) Venetian, Latin, Italian Religion Roman Catholicism Government Republic Doge  - 1789–97 Ludovico Manin History  - Established 697  - Treaty of Zara June 27, 1358  - Treaty of Leoben April 17, 1797 * Traditionally, the establishment of the Republic is dated to 697. ... Marco Polo (September 15, 1254[1] – January 9, 1324 at earliest but no later than June 1325[2]) was a Venetian trader and explorer who gained fame for his worldwide travels, recorded in the book Il Milione (The Million or The Travels of Marco Polo). ... Capital Dadu Language(s) Mongolian Chinese Government Monarchy Emperor  - 1260-1294 Kublai Khan  - 1333-1370 (Cont. ... Groat is the traditional name of an English silver coin worth four English pennies, and also a Scottish coin originally worth fourpence, with later issues being valued at eightpence and a shilling. ...

Gold coinage was re-introduced to Europe in 1252 when the city of Florence began minting gold coins known as florins. For broader historical context, see 1250s and 13th century. ... Florence (or Firenze, Florentia and Fiorenza) is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany, and of the province of Florence. ... Florin is The first gold coin minted in Europe. ...

Gold coins in 10th and 11th century England were valued at two shillings sterling. The gold:silver ratio was 1:9. As a means of recording the passage of time, the 10th century was that century which lasted from 901 to 1000. ... As a means of recording the passage of time, the 11th century was that century which lasted from 1001 to 1100. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ...

Typically gold coins were used when payments had some special ritual significance, or to show a sign of respect.

In heraldry, bezants are gold discs (roundels). Their name as a charge probably comes from the name of the coins. Heraldry in its most general sense encompasses all matters relating to the duties and responsibilities of officers of arms. ... The modern proportion RAF roundel A roundel in heraldry is any circular shape; in military use it is an emblem of nationality employed on military aircraft and air force flags, generally round and consisting of concentric rings of different colors. ...

Notes

See also

• Roundel