Venice 1732 osella KM-X264
This specimen was lot 3005 in Sincona Auction 101 (Zürich, October 2025), where it sold for 3,000 CHF (about US$4,522 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIEN Venedig, Carlo Ruzzini, 1732-1735. Osella da 4 Zecchini 1732 / Anno I, CAROLI / RUZINI / PRINCIPIS / MVNVS AN: / I unter Dogenhut und über drei Cadecui zwischen Zweigen. Rv. IN DIEBVS EIVS ABVDANTIA PACIS Markuslöwe, im Abschnitt *1732*. Selten. Sehr schön. Fassungsspuren und gewellt. (Italy, republic of Venice, Carlo Ruzzini, 1732-35, osella of four zecchini of 1732, year 1. Obverse: doge's name and title under the doge's hat, within leafy branches, three cadecui below; reverse: lion of St. Mark, date in exergue. Rare, Very Fine, Traces of jewelry mount and wavy flan.)"
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 design was also struck in silver (KM X265).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 14 g, gold, this specimen 13.82 g.
Catalog reference: KM X264, Montenegro 2526.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Unusual World Coins, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
- [1]Richter, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 101: World Coins, Medals and Banknotes, Swiss Confederate Coins, Medals and Banknotes, Shooting Coins and Medals, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2025.
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