Malta 1723 2 tari
This specimen was lot 5154 in Sincona sale 4 (Zürich, October 2011), where it sold for 120 CHF (about US$160 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"MALTA Johanniterorden auf Rhodos und Malta Antonio Manuel de Vilhena, 1722-1736. 2 Tari 1723. Löwe zwischen Wertangabe. Rv. Malteserkreuz. Vorzüglich. (Order of Malta, Antonio Manuel de Vilhena, 1722-1736, two tari of 1723. Obverse: lion divides denomination; reverse: Maltese cross. Extremely fine.)"
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 type is dated 1723 only. The next two tari is dated 1737. Thirty tari made a piastra or tallero.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: copper, this specimen 2,28 g.
Catalog reference: R.S. 110, KM 178.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Numismatic Coins, Medals & Banknotes: Auction 4, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2011.
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