Malta 1724 4 zecchini Fr-26
This specimen was lot 5156 in Sincona sale 4 (Zürich, October 2011), where it sold for 6,500 CHF (about US$8,647 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"MALTA Johanniterorden auf Rhodos und Malta Antonio Manuel de Vilhena, 1722-1736. 4 Zecchini 1724. Geharnischtes Brustbild nach rechts. Rv. Gekröntes Wappen. Min. Fassungssp. Vorzüglich. (Order of Malta, Antonio Manuel de Vilhena, 1722-1736. four zecchini of 1724. Obverse: armored bust to right; reverse: crowned arms. Tiny mount mark, 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. Thirty tari made a piastra or tallero. This type is recorded for 1722-24 and is rare.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 14 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 13,12 g.
Catalog reference: R.S. 19, Fr-26, KM 176.
- 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.
- 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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