Malta 1737 2 tari
This specimen was lot 22661 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Anaheim, CA, August 2016), where it sold for $305.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "MALTA. 2 Tari, 1737. Ramon Despuig (1736-41). NGC AU-50. Vastly nicer than most encountered; truly a supreme example. Well centered and well struck, with the crown and fleur de lis both sharp and crisp, and a full rigid rendition of the Maltese Cross on the reverse. Deep even toning; a coin with much to admire and desire. From the E.E. Clain-Stefanelli Collection." 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 1737 only. The next two tari is dated 1741. Thirty tari made a piastra or tallero. Elvira Clain-Stefanelli was the longtime curator of coins at the Smithsonian.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: copper.
Catalog reference: KM-201; Restelli-20; Schembri-pg. 147#1.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Ponterio, Richard, The August 2016 Anaheim ANA Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2016.
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