Malta 1778 20 scudi
This specimen was lot 1206 in UBS sale 84 (Basel, January 2010). Another specimen was lot 1154 in UBS sale 85 (Zürich, September 2010), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"MALTA. Emanuel de Rohan, 1775-1797. 20 Scudi 1778. Geharnischtes Brustbild nach rechts. Rv. Zwei Wappen nebeneinander unter einer Krone, darunter die Wertangabe. Kl. Kr. Vorzüglich" (Malta, Emanuel de Rohan, 1775-97, 20 scudi of 1778. Obv: armored bust to right. Rev: two shields with crown, denomination below. 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 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. This type, slightly larger than four ducats, is rare.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 16 g, .840 fine gold, .432 troy oz AGW, this specimen: 16.42 grams.
Catalog reference: Schembri 1, Fr-43, KM 311.
- 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.
- [1]UBS Gold & Numismatics, Auction 84: Gold and Silver Coins, Basel, 2009.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
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