Malta 1738 2 scudi Dav-1598
This specimen was lot 13272 in Ponterio sale 177 (Chicago, August 2013), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted, "MALTA. 2 Scudi, 1738. NGC EF-40. Ramon Despuig (1736-41). VERY RARE. The reverse is a variant type not listed in Schembri or Restelli/Sammut. The altered date is possibly a 1738/7 over date. The reverse also appears double struck in areas." Malta, an island between Italy and Tunisia was ruled by the Knights of St. John from the 1500's to their ouster by Napoleon in 1798. After Napoleon's fall, the British occupied the island as a base until the 1960's, when Malta became an independent republic. The Knights of St. John, now the Order of Malta, still exist but are based in Rome where they run a hospital. The Maltese used currency derived from their neighbors the Sicilians; 20 grani = 1 tari, 12 tari = 1 scudo. The Order also struck ducats.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver.
Catalog reference: Dav-1598 var.; KM-204.2 var. Schembri-Plate 8, fig. 3, Restelli-Sammut-Plate IVI, fig. 5 var.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Ponterio, Richard, Ponterio sale 177: The August 2013 Chicago ANA Auction, World Coins, Irvine, CA: Stack's Bowers, LLC, 2013.
Link to: