Malta (1572-81) zecchino Fr-7
This specimen was lot 5136 in Sincona sale 4 (Zürich, October 2011), where it sold for 1,400 CHF (about US$1,862 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"MALTA Johanniterorden auf Rhodos und Malta Jean Levesque de la Cassiere, 1572-1581. Zecchino o. J. Der Grossmeister kniet nach links und erhält das Ordensbanner vom hl. Johannes. Rv. Christus in Mandorla. Vorzüglich. (Order of Malta, John de La Cassiere, 1572-81, undated zecchino or ducat. Obverse: the Grand master kneels to St. John at left; reverse: Christ in mandorla. Extremely fine.)"
The rather gruesome image of the head of the prophet on a platter appears on a number of Maltese silver coins of the early modern period. Severed heads were likely a familiar sight in Malta in the 1550's as the island endured a long siege from Turkish attackers. Grand master Jean de la Valette's heroic efforts in fending off the besiegers led to the main town being renamed for him, Valetta. Ferdinand von Hompesch was the last grand master of the knights of Malta before the Order was evicted from the island by Napoleon. The British in turn evicted the French but never returned the island to the Order, retaining it as a colony until 1964. The Order today runs charity hospitals in Europe and is headquartered in Rome. This ducat is more or less a copy of the contemporary Venetian ducats.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.5 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 3,39 g.
Catalog reference: R.S. 1. Fr-7.
- 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]Numismatic Coins, Medals & Banknotes: Auction 4, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2011.
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