Venice 1781 osella KM-X135
This specimen was lot 42442 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Oklahoma City, OK, August 2025), where it sold for $26,400. The catalog description[1] noted, "Exceedingly Rare Gold Issue for Murano. ITALY. Venice. Gold Osella of 3 Zecchini Weight, 1781. Venice Mint. Paolo Renier. PCGS MS-62. Struck for Murano. Obverse: Garnished coats-of-arms of the doge between those of the podestà and the chamberlain; all set upon base; below, cock of Murano standing left; Reverse: Cruciform coats-of-arms. An EXCEPTIONALLY RARE offering, this off-metal striking as a gold multiple presents a crisp, clear strike and stunning brilliance. Referencing Murano, this type was issued for the series of islands within the Venetian Lagoon famous for its glass blowing. A tremendous opportunity for the specialist in Venetian and related types. Ex: Hess-Divo 318 (10/2010) Lot # 1301 @ ChF 23,000 hammer." 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.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specifications: gold, this specimen 10.46 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-Unlisted; KMX-135; Paolucci-672; Gamberini-1891.
- 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, August 2025 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, featuring The Richard August Collection and the Richard Margolis Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2025.
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