Venice (1675)-GD osello
This specimen was lot 13257 in Ponterio sale 177 (Chicago, August 2013), where it sold for $940. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY. Venice. Osella, Year 1 (1675). Nicolo Sagredo (1675-76). File mark on edge. Toned. VERY FINE. From the Demarete Collection." Oselli are unique to Venice; they are medals in nature, serving as commemoratives or awards of merit, but often circulated as the republic did not issue much silver in this size. Hundreds of designs exist. The closest analog are the jetons of France, which began as reckoning counters but evolved into commemoratives similar to this. This one is helpfully marked "ANNO I" of a two year doge, so it can be narrowed down to 1675.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 8.8 g, silver, 36 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM X166, Paolucci-158; Gamberini-1013.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Unusual World Coins, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
- [1]Ponterio, Richard, Ponterio sale 177: The August 2013 Chicago ANA Auction, World Coins, Irvine, CA: Stack's Bowers, LLC, 2013.
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