The coins of Sigismund of Luxemburg

(1387-1437) and Vladislav

Varnenchick (1434-1444) from
Northeastern Bulgaria

PhD Candidate: Nevyan Mitev

Supervisor: Prof. D-r Ivan Tyutyundzhiev
Goals and methodogies:

1.To examine all coins of Sigismund of

Luxemburg and Vladislav Varnenchick from
Northeastern Bulgaria;
2. To explain relating between aforementioned
finds and the Crusade (autumn 1444);
Previous researches:

Shkorpil brothers ( 1923)

Ivan Jordanov ( 1982)
Zhenya Zhekova ( 2001; 2006)
Konstantin Dochev ( 1994)
Dimitar Dimitrov ( 1992)
Lachezar Lazarov ( 2001)
Nevyan Mitev (M 2014; 2015; 2016)
Distribution of the coins of Sigismund of Luxemburg
Coins of Sigismund of Luxemburg

1. Golden gulden
2. Silver denar
3. Silver parvus
4.Copper quarting
1. 2.

3. 4.
Distribution of the coins of Vladislav Varnenchick
Coins of Vladislav Varnenchick

1. Golden gulden
2. Silver Polish denar
3. Silver Hungarian denar (I)
4. Silver Hungarian denar (II)
1. 2.

3. 4.
Main discussion about the distribution of the coins
of Sigismund of Luxemburg and Vladislav
Varnenchick in Northeastern Bulgaria
First theory part of the normal coin circulation from
that period (Ivan Jordanov; Konstantin Dochev;
Lachezar Lazarov; Dimitar Dimitrov);
Second theory a consequence of the Crusade of
Vladislav Varnenchick from the autumn 1444
(Zhenya Zhekova, Nevyan Mitev);
HISTORIAN SOURCES ABOUT THE ROUTE
OF THE ARMY IN NORTHEASTERN
BULGARIA
The poem of Michael Behaim the problem with the
identification of the fortress Rachautsch
The letter of Andreas de Palatio to cardinal Ludovic
in Rome and Gregorius from Sanoc - where was
mentioned an ancient road with many Roman
buildings, Greek and Latin inscriptions, arcs and
columns, cities and palaces
The Holy wars of sultan Murad son of Mehmed
khan the route Nikopol-Osam-Tarnovo-Kosovo-
Shumen
The historiography about the problem: First theory
The Second theory
THE COINS OF SIGISMUND OF LUXEMBURG AND
VLADISLAV VARNENCHIK AS NUMISMATIC DATA TO
THE ROUTE OF THE CRUSADER ARMY IN
NORTHEASTERN BULGARIA

The coins of Sigismund and Vladislav have not been found in

Northwestern Bulgaria.
Emissions of Sigismund and Vladislav are not present in the vicinities
between Nikopol and Razgrad, as also from Razgrad to Shumen.
The coins mark the armys march as it is described in The Holy wars of
sultan Murad son of Mehmed khan.
In the battle of Varna on 10th of November 1444, the crusaders suffered a
crushing defeat. Most of the remaining military forces fled the battlefield.
One part of the troops headed to Ignatievo and Devnya, other ran to the
Frangian heights and Batova valley. From there one part of the Christian
soldiers continued to Silistra and the others to Balchik and Kavarna.
Distribution of the coins of Sigismund of Luxemburg and Vladislav Varnenchik
in Northeastern Bulgaria
Conclusion
The numismatic findings that are connected with the
army of Vladislav Varnenchik, give us additional
information about the crusaders. The coins found in
Bulgarian lands represent the different emissions that
were used for payment in the Christian army. The
assumption that after the defeat near Varna some
crusaders escaped through costal way to Balchik and
Kavarna was based only on arms and armor found in
Northeast Bulgaria. However, now the same theory is
strengthened by numismatic data as well. Although so
far studied historical sources say nothing about this
route, truthfulness of this assumption is proved by the
archaeological findings.
Thank you for your attention!