Malta 1619 5 grani
This specimen was lot 2098 in Jean Elsen sale 163 (Brussels, November 2025), where it sold for €100 (about US$156 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"MALTE, Ordre de Saint-Jean, Alofius de Wignacourt (1601-1622), Cu cinquina (5 grani), 1619. D/ Écu aux armes du grand maître, sous un lis cantonné de deux étoiles R/ Deux mains jointes. En dessous, la valeur entre deux étoiles. Rare. Double frappe. Quelques faiblesses. (Order of Malta, Alofius de Wignacourt, 1601-22, copper five grani of 1619. Obverse: arms of the grandmaster, a lily with two stars above; reverse: two joined hands, below, the value between two stars. Rare, double struck, some weak areas, Fine - Very Fine.)"
This scarce type was struck 1619 only. The reverse legend "★ NON ★ AES ★ SED ★ FIDES ★" translates as, "not money, but trust." We also note a ten grani (KM 27), one tari (KM 28) and four tari (KM 14). Wikipedia comments,
"Fra Alof de Wignacourt (1547 – 14 September 1622) was a French nobleman who was the 54th Grand Master of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem from 10 February 1601 to his death in 1622. Unlike a number of the other Grand Masters, he was popular with the Maltese people. Wignacourt is mostly remembered for the construction of the Wignacourt Aqueduct as well as a series of coastal towers which also bear his name."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.86 g, copper, 20 mm diameter, this specimen is 1,68 g.
Catalog reference: KM 26, Schembri 77, 1.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 163, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2025.
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