Malta 1774 2 scudi Dav-1605
This specimen was lot 1472 in Jean Elsen sale 121 (Brussels, June 2014), where it sold for €280 (about US$448 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"MALTE, Ordre de Saint-Jean, Francisco Ximenez de Texada (1773-1775), AR 2 scudi, 1774, Petite date. Droit: B. cuirassé à droite. Revers: Ecus accolés de l'Ordre et du grand maître entre une palme et un rameau, sous une couronne. Beau à Très Beau. (Malta, Order of St. John, Francisco Ximenez de Texada (1773-75), silver two scudi of 1774, small date. Obverse: armored bust to right; reverse: accolated arms of the Order and the grand master between a palm branch and laurel branch, beneath a crown. Fine to very 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 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 = one tari, 12 tari = one scudo. This scarce type is listed for 1773-74.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 23,64 g.
Catalog reference: Dav-1605; Schembri, 169, 2; R.& S., 13; KM-287.
- 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]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 121, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2014.
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