Venice (1578)-HM 40 soldi
This specimen was lot 75325 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, February 2024), where it sold for $240. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY. Venice. 40 Soldi, ND (1578-85). Venice Mint. Nicolo da Ponte. NGC AU-53. Limitedly circulated and most pleasing, this wonderful example is certain to capture the attention of many excited bidders." Altho this coin is not dated, we know it was struck in 1578 as mintmaster HM held office only that year. The SCWC lists the quarter scudo as late as 1789 (KM 741). However, the quarter scudo was reduced to 7.95 g in 1617 and tariffed thereafter at 35 soldi.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 8.47-9.04 g, 0.948 fine silver, 31-32 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: Paolucci-6; KM MB237.
- Rafaele Paolucci, La Zecca di Venezia, 2 vols. Padua, 1991.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, February 2024 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
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