Venice (1679-81)-GZ 2 scudi Dav-4271
This specimen was lot 3130 in Sincona sale 83 (Zürich, May 2023), where it sold for 6,800 CHF (about US$9,101 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted, "VENEDIG. Alvise Contarini, 1676-1684. 2 Scudo della croce o. J. (1679), Venezia. Münzmeister G.Z (Gerolamo Zorzi). Äusserst selten. Sehr schön. Kleiner Randfehler (republic of Venice, Alvise Contarini, 1676-84, undated double scudo of the cross, Venice mint, mintmaster Gerolamo Zorzi. Extremely rare, Very fine, Minor edge flaw)." As a rule, Venetian coins were not dated and can only be identified as to ruler. Sometimes, the presence of mintmaster's initials allows one to narrow the years of issue to his term of office. The SCWC lists several double scudi but labels them all as patterns. The coin is marked "140", i.e., 140 soldi, which is the value of a single scudo. This one circulated extensively.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 63.65 g, 0.948 fine silver, this specimen is 62.78 g.
Catalog reference: Montenegro 1985/1986 (Scudo), Dav-4271, KM Pn44.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1600-1700, Galesburg, IL, 1974.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 83, World and Swiss Coins and Medals, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2023.
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