Chios (1307-14) 1/4 ducato
This specimen was lot 539 in Sincona Auction 103 (Zürich, May 2026), where it sold for 6,500 CHF (about US$9,906 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"GRIECHENLAND Chios, Benedetto & Paleologo Zaccaria, 1307-1314. 1/4 Ducato o. J., +.M.E.P.ZAChARIE Quadrierter spanischer Schild. Rv. +CIVITAS.SXI (Rosette) Kreuz. Von grösster Seltenheit. (Greece, duchy of Chios, Benedetto & Paleologo Zaccaria, 1307-1314, undated quarter ducat. Obverse: quartered Spanish arms; reverse: cross. Of the highest rarity. NGC XF40.)"
Benedetto Zaccaria (c. 1235 – 1307) was a Genoese admiral and mercenary who seized the island of Chios from the Turks in 1304 and was acknowledged as its lord by the Byzantines 1304-07. Paleologo Zaccaria (d. 1314) was his son and successor.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 0.85 g, gold, this specimen 0.78 g.
Catalog reference: Mazarakis 1. Lunardi -. Fr-unlisted.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, Michael Hardmeier, Michael Otto, Arne Kirsch, Ruedi Kunzmann and Timur Demirai, SINCONA Auction 103: World and Swiss coins and medals, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2026.
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