View source for Venice (1732-33)-BV 25 zecchini

[[Image:H3096-30395o.jpg|300px|thumb|Heritage sale 3096, lot 30395]]
[[Image:H3096-30395r.jpg|300px|thumb]]

This specimen was lot 30395 in Heritage auction 3096 (Dallas, TX, March 2021), where it sold for $132,000. The catalog description<sup>[1]</sup> noted, <blockquote>"Potentially Unique 25 Zecchini of Carlo Ruzzini. [[Italy, Venice|Venice]]. Carlo Ruzzini gold Scudo della Croce of 25 Zecchini ND (1732-1735)-BV AU58 NGC. Benetto Valier as mintmaster. Labeled on holder insert as Paolucci-137.1 var. (10 Zecchini). A spectacular and presumably unique production in gold, apparently struck from dies employed in the striking of the contemporary Scudo emissions of Carlo Ruzzini, 1732-1733. While larger multiple Zecchini are nearly always rare in their own right, this consistently unlisted issue takes it to the highest level of rarity, with no other examples known to us or located in auction archives. The quality of strike remains consistent with the Scudos of the era, though the production in gold leaves little doubt as to the special nature of this offering, with the heft of over 87 total grams in weight leaving an immediate impression upon any beholder. Though deemed just barely circulated by NGC, this specimen displays essentially full golden luster, only minor wisps and an area of contact in the central right obverse field pointing to any real handling since the piece's production nearly 300 years ago. A sublime historical relic in every respect. From the Paramount Collection."</blockquote> The ''scudo delle croce'' (Dav-1538) was a silver coin worth 140 soldi or seven lire. This is a presentation piece struck in gold. The SCWC mentions KM Pn114, a pattern ''scudo della croce'' struck in gold of 10 zecchini weight.

''Recorded mintage:'' unknown.

''Specification:'' 87.5 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 87.12 g.

''Catalog reference:'' KM-Unl., Fr-Unl., CNI-Unl., Paolucci-Unl., Bellesia-Unl.

''[[Bibliography|Source:]]''
* Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, ''Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed.,'' Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017. 
* Michael, Thomas, ''Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed.,'' Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
* <sup>[1]</sup>Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, ''The Paramount Collection World & Ancient Coins: Signature Auction 3096,'' Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2021.

''Links to:''
* [[Venice (1722-23)-VQ scudo KM-Pn106|(1722-23)-VQ ''scudo della croce'', struck in gold of 10 zecchini weight]]
* [[Venice (1722-23)-VQ 15 zecchini|(1722-23)-VQ ''scudo della croce'', struck in gold of 15 zecchini weight]]
* [[Venice 1732 osella KM-X265]] struck in silver
* [[Venice 1732 osella KM-X264]] struck in gold
* [[Venice (1732-33)-BV ducato Dav-1540|(1732-33)-BV ducato]]
* [[Venice (1732-35) 1/4 zecchino Fr-1386]]
* [[Venice (1732-35) zecchino Fr.1384|(1732-35) zecchino]]
* [[Venice (1741-42)-FP 12 zecchini|(1741-42)-FP 12 zecchini, struck using ''ducatone'' dies]]
* [[Coins and currency dated 1732]]

[[Category:Selections from Heritage sale 3096]][[Category:Gold ducats of Europe]]