Venice (1722-23)-VQ scudo KM-Pn106
This specimen was lot 36 in Bolaffi Spa Auction 43 (Turin, June 2023) where it sold for 36,000 EUR (about US$46,258 including buyer's fees). The lot description noted,
"Collezione E.S. Repubblica di Venezia, Alvise III Mocenigo (1722-1732) - Scudo della Croce in oro da 10 Zecchini - Zecca: Venezia - Diritto: croce fogliata - Rovescio: leone di San Marco entro scudo ornato - Sigle VQ - Di grande rarità - Parziale lucentezza di fondi, SPL - Proveniente dall'asta Adolph Hess & Bank Leu, Lucerna 11-12.10.1961, n. 362. (republic of Venice, Alvise Mocenigo III, 1722-32, ten zecchini struck using scudo dies, Venice mint. Obverse: floriate cross; reverse: Lion of St. Mark supports an ornate shield. Of great rarity, slightly weakly struck, uncirculated.)"
The ten zecchini was first struck in 1646 and was struck intermittently to the end of the republic. Such a large coin was used only for presentation and all issues (none are dated) are rare. The scudo d'oro was 3.38 g instead of 3.49 g for the zecchino. This is a presentation piece struck using dies intended for the silver scudo (KM 513/Dav-1535). In addition to this ten zecchini, patterns exist of eight zecchini weight (KM Pn103), twelve zecchini weight (KM Pn107) and twenty zecchini weight (KM Pn109). Similar off-metal strikes were popular in the United Provinces in the eighteenth century.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: normally 31.83 g, 0.948 fine silver, 42-43 mm diameter; this KM-Pn106 pattern 34.78 g, 0.986 fine gold; this specimen 34,81 g.
Catalog reference: KM 513/Dav-1535 (silver), this pattern KM Pn106, C.N.I. VIII/408/3, Mont. Ve. n. 2424, Paolucci I/136/3.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
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