Мястото на Средец в българо-унгарските отношения през XII в. (по нумизматични данни)

The position of Sredets in Bulgarian – Hungarian relations in the 12th century (on numismatic data)

Abstract

Single coins belonging to the Hungarian kings have been identified among the pieces from the 12th c. found in Bulgaria.
Recently still another copper denarius of Béla III (1172 – 1196) appeared during the archaeological excavations in Sofia (the medieval Sredets). Its description is as follows:
Obverse: REX BELA REX STS. Two royals crowned holding crosses sitting on a throne without backrest, front. Each of them holds a scepter in their right hand, and a globe with a cross – in the left one. The blank is broken above the emperors’ heads.
Reverse: SANCTA MARIA. Theotokos with a halo sitting on a throne without backrest, front.
Copper denarius: 27 mm; 2, 27 g.
The discovery of a coin of the Hungarian King Béla III (1172 – 1196) is no surprise, having in mind the many events that Sredets has become the arena of international conflicts. From the second half of 1120ies to the end of the century Sredets was a significant fortress within the Byzantine – Hungarian relations and many times became an arena of collisions between the Hungarian army and the urban population. Most probably the coin in question was carried by an alien who took part in the dramatic events.