value by 1/5. We
then have:

1. LIRA DEI GROSSI equivalent to nearly 3_l._ 15_s._ 0_d._
(therefore exceeding by nearly 10_s._ the value of the Pound sterling of
the period, or _Lira di Sterlini_, as it was called in the appropriate
Italian phrase).[9]

2. LIRA AI GROSSI ... 3_s._ 9_d._

3. LIRA DEI PICCOLI ... 2_s._ 4_d._

The TORNESE or TORNESEL at Venice was, according to Romanin (III. 343) = 4
Venice deniers: and if these are the _deniers_ of the _Lira ai Grossi_, the
coin would be worth a little less than 3/4_d._, and nearly the equivalent
of the denier Tournois, from which it took its name.[10]

* * * * *

The term BEZANT is used by Polo always (I believe) as it is by Joinville,
by Marino Sanudo, and by Pegolotti, for the Egyptian gold dinar, the
intrinsic value of which varied somewhat, but can scarcely be taken at
less than 10_s._ 6_d._ or 11_s._ (See _Cathay_, pp. 440-441; and see also
_J. As._ ser. VI. tom. xi. pp. 506-507.) The exchange of Venice money for
the Bezant or Dinar in the Levant varied a good deal (as is shown by
examples in the passage in _Cathay_ just cited), but is always in these
examples a large fraction (1/6 up to 1/3) more than the Zecchin. Hence,
when Joinville gives the equation of St. Lewis's ransom as 1,000,000
_bezants_ or 500,000 _livres_, I should have supposed these to be _livres
Parisis_ rather than _Tournois_, as M. de Wailly prefers.

There were a variety of coins of lower value in the Levant called
Bezants,[11] but these do not occur in our Book.

* * * * *

The Venice SAGGIO, a weight for precious substances was 1/6 of an ounce,
corresponding to the weight of the Roman gold _solidus_, from which was
originally derived the Arab MISKAL And Polo appears to use _saggio_
habitually as the equivalent of _Miskal_. His POIS or PESO, applied to
gold and silver, seems to have the same sense, and is indeed a literal
translation of _Miskal_. (See vol. ii. p. 41.)

* * * * *

For measures Polo uses the _palm_ rather than the foot. I do not find
a value of the Venice palm, but over Italy that measure varies from 9-1/2
inches to something over 10. The Genoa Palm is stated at 9.725 inches.

_Jal_ (_Archeologie Nav._ I. 271) cites the following Table of

_Old Venice Measures of Length_.

4 fingers = 1 handbreadth.
4 handbreadths = 1 foot.
5 feet = 1 pace.