Tarì

Tari (Arabic طري, Tari DMG, Gentle, green, fresh '), also taro, Tarino, was the name of a coin in Sicily, Malta and southern Italy.

Saracen coins of Fatimid and Kalbite in southern Italy

During the Saracen domination of Sicily ( conquered by Aghlabids 827-902 ) and parts of southern Italy, a small gold coins in weight of 0.8 to 1 g ( purity of about 70%) there was marked around since the early 10th century and was originally as, rubai tari ' (, new neighborhood Dinars '), shortened tari ', refers to the only "new" meant. This error already appeared on a document from the year 922. In a contract of Amalfi called a " tari " the equivalent of a quarter of a dinar.

At this time only impressed the Arab kingdoms and Byzantine gold coins, while northern Italy introduced this until the second half of the 13th century. In contrast, negotiated the south of the peninsula on a large scale both with Konstantin Opel, as well as with Muslim cities Tunis and Alexandria or Cairo. In addition, large parts of southern Italy were Byzantine until the second half of the 11th century.

Southern Italian centers

The oldest coin of this kind which was in fact coined in a Christian dominion, in Salerno, dates from the year 1012 Another is from the year 1057 known.; it comes from Amalfi. Both cities were in an intensive trade with the Muslim states of North Africa and southern Italy.

In the 9th century, Amalfi made ​​independently between Byzantium, the Muslim kingdoms and the Lombards. Amalfi succeeded in rising to one of the leading trading powers. 846 sent ships to defend the city of Rome, together with Naples and Gaeta succeeded to beat the fleet of the Saracens at Ostia. Amalfi was on par with Genoa, Pisa and Venice. Its merchants talked bases in Umayyad Cordoba, in the Syrian Antioch, in Cairo, Constantinople and the Byzantine Opel Durazzo on the coast of Albania. Arab travelers as they boasted "richest and most glamorous city " in the Lombard Kingdom. At this time the Republic covered not only the city itself only the neighboring towns of Atrani, Ravello, Scala, Minuto, Maiori and Minori. 1073 captured the city the Normans. Due to the autonomy hostile policy towards the towns of Amalfi lost its importance, especially in Venice, Pisa and Genoa. Two Pisan fleet attacks in the years 1135 and 1137 put the commercial metropolis definitive end.

Norman

Even after the Norman conquest, the coin of Sicily was further pronounced with Kufic ( Arabic ) writing. The appearance of the coin changed only slowly after the Norman conquest of southern Italy ( to 1071 ) and Sicily ( 1061-1091 ). One side of the coin was provided with a cross, the other remained unchanged. Until 1156 ran in the Norman kingdom only copper and gold coins around, but there also gathered silver. Now more and more silver coins came on.

Hohenstaufen and Anjou

The coin, which also multiple pieces were minted, remained on the Staufer addition until well into the 13th century when Charles I of Anjou important means of payment in southern Italy and Sicily. As a major mints here Messina, Palermo, Amalfi and Brindisi are mentioned. The Goldtari or Tarenen that shaped the coin of Amalfi from September 1221 probably served primarily to publicize the imperial glory of Frederick II. Friedrich was to this end the Augustals out, but could not permanently prevail against the Tari be.

Aragon and Spain

During the Spanish rule in the Kingdom of Naples began in 1500 minting a silver coin of the same name, which was at 300 years in use.

Malta

Also, the Order of St. John in Malta was from about 1530 such silver coins, and later in copper.