Venice (1554-56) scudo d'oro Fr-1454
This specimen was lot 3755 in Goldberg sale 70 (Los Angeles, September 2012), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted, "Italian States - Venice. Scudo d'oro, ND. Francesco Venier, 1554-1556. Cross. Reverse: Lion in shield. PCGS Genuine, Bent, Our Grade sharpness of Extremely Fine." The Duchy of Venice was actually an oligarchy nominally ruled by an elected doge. On the regular ducats, he is shown kneeling before the saint to indicate that he does not kneel before any living person, specifically the emperor or the pope. Despite his pretensions, Venetian independence was terminated by the Napoleonic invasions and the area fell to Austria in 1797.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: gold, this specimen 3.4 grams.
Catalog reference: Fr-1454.
- 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]Ira and Larry Goldberg, Goldberg sale 70: The Pre-Long Beach Auction, Los Angeles, CA: Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, 2012.
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