TYPE Medieval Serbia, Prince Lazar Hrebeljanovic (1371-1389), silver dinar of Novo Brdo, 0.74g DESCRIPTION . Obv: Prince standing facing, with criciform scepter, in loros and crown, Italian legend CONTE LASARO ("Prince Lazar") around [part. blurred] Rev: Christ in glory, blessing, blundered legend NOVOMONTE ARGEN ("silver of Novo Brdo"), stars and plants as control marks REFERENCE: J 154, Jov 32-13 GRADING: VF, lightly toned, typical uneven strike but well above average state ORDER INFO: S1468, $78 The legendary Serbian prince of the epic 1389 Battle of Kosovo that pitted Christian armies against the invading Ottoman Turks. The Novo Brdo coins appear to have been hastily minted just prior to the invasion - possibly in anticipation of it - and this specimen is of better than average quality. Latin inscriptions were used on Serbian coins at various times either instead or alongside Serbian ones, for reasons ranging from practical to political, but the use of vernacular Italian - in this and a couple of other Lazar issues - is an exception and puzzle of sorts.