Venice (1722-23)-VQ ducatone Dav-1536
This specimen was lot 4 in Numismatica Ferrarese srl E-Auction 8 (Ferrara, Italy, December 2020), where it sold for 3,700 euro (about US$5,415). The lot description noted, "Zecche Italiane - Venezia - Alvise III Mocenigo Doge CXII (1722-1732) Ducatone da 124 Soldi - sigla massaro V Q (Vincenzo Querin) - R2 MOLTO RARA - SPL. (republic of Venice, Alvise Mocenigo III, 112th doge, 1722-32, ducatone of 124 soldi, initials VQ. Very rare, uncirculated.)" By this period, Venice was a ghost of her former power, surviving only on the sufferance of her Austrian and Turkish neighbors. Ducatoni were issued to this standard until the end of the republic. Other large silver coins included scudi (= 140 soldi), talleri, ducati as well as a variety of gold coins, especially ducats. These dies were used to strike KM Pn105 and KM Pn108 in gold.
Recorded mintage: unknown but not common.
Specification: 28.10 g, 0.948 fine silver, 43-44 mm diameter, this specimen is 27,84 g.
Catalog reference: Paol. 15, KM 512, Dav-1536.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
Link to: