Venice (1659-61)-BB 10 soldi
This specimen was lot 1795 in Jean Elsen sale 144 (Brussels, March 2020), where it sold for €120 (about US$158 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, VENISE, Domenico Contarini (1659-1674), AR 10 soldi, s.d. Sigle BB (Benedetto Balbi). D/ Saint Marc assis à d., remettant une bannière au Doge agenouillé devant lui. R/ Sainte Justine deb. de f., ten. une palme et un livre. Extrêmement rare. presque Très Beau. (Italy, republic of Venice, Domenico Contarini, 1659-74, undated silver ten soldi, mintmaster Benedetto Balbi. Obverse: St. Mark gives a banner to the kneeling doge; reverse: St. Justine facing, bearing a palm and a book. Extremely rare, about Very Fine.)"
The ten soldi was equal to one sixteenth of a scudo. Numerous issues of this denomination are listed in the SCWC until 1665. After 1675, the denomination was superseded by the mezza liretta, which was 1.89 g, 0.826 fine silver.
Recorded mintage: unknown but very scarce.
Specification: 2.27 g, 0.948 fine silver, this specimen 2,14 g.
Catalog reference: KM 300, Paolucci 105, 4.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 144, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2020.
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