Malta 1774 10 scudi Fr-40
This specimen was lot 3160 in Künker sale 294 (Osnabrück, Germany, July 2017), where it sold for €2,200 (about US$2,965 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"MALTA, JOHANNITERORDEN, Francisco Ximenez de Texada, 1773-1775. 10 Scudi 1774, Valletta. GOLD. Feine Goldpatina, vorzüglich. (Order of Malta, Francisco Ximenez de Texada, 1773-1775, ten scudi of 1774, Valetta mint. Fine gold patina, extremely fine.)"
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 1964, 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. This type, slightly larger than two ducats, is rare.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 8 g, .840 fine gold, this specimen 8.39 g.
Catalog reference: KM 292, Fr-40; Restelli 10.
- 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]Künker Münzauktionen und Goldhandel, Katalog 294: Goldprägungen | Deutsche Münzen ab 1871 | Russische Münzen und Medaillen, Osnabrück: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co., AG, 2017.
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