Malta 1798 30 Tari Dav-1611
This specimen was lot 5193 in Sincona sale 4 (Zürich, October 2011), where it sold for 800 CHF (about US$1,064 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"MALTA Johanniterorden auf Rhodos und Malta Ferdinand von Hompesch, 1797-1798. 30 Tari 1798. Geharnischtes Brustbild nach links. Rv. Gekrönter Doppeladler mit Wappen auf der Brust. Vorzüglich. (Order of Malta, Ferdinand von Hompesch, 1797-1798, thirty tari of 1798. Obverse: armored bust to left; reverse: crowned double-headed eagle with arms on breast. Extremely fine.)"
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 1798 only but comes in several varieties (KM 345.1 thru 345.4).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 29,66 g.
Catalog reference: R.S. 2ff, Dav-1611, KM 345.1.
- 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]Numismatic Coins, Medals & Banknotes: Auction 4, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2011.
Link to:
- 1778 20 scudi
- 1790 30 tari
- 1796 2 scudi
- 1798 15 tari
- Coins and currency dated 1798
- return to coins of Order of Malta