Venice 1740-AD osella KM-X282
This specimen was lot 42594 in Stack's Bowers Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction (Pittsburgh, September 2026), where it sold for $1,342. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY. Venice. Osella, 1740-AD Year VI. Venice Mint. Alvise Pisani. PCGS EF-45. The only example of the type in the PCGS census, this lightly circulated specimen presents a crisp, sharp strike, pleasing toning, some alluring brilliance remaining, and a captivating wholesome nature." 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. The reverse legend, "ALOYSIJ PISANI PRINCIPIS MVNVS", translates as, "The gift of Prince Aloysius Pisani." The dies were also used to strike KM X281 in gold.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 9.47-9.69 g, silver, 35-37 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-X282; Paolucci-223.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Unusual World Coins, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
- Rafaele Paolucci, La Zecca di Venezia, 2 vols. Padua, 1991.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2026.
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