Venice (1779)-BC ducato Dav-1567

Heritage sale 3089, lot 30136

This specimen was lot 30136 in Heritage sale 3089 (Dallas, TX, January 2021), where it sold for $9,000. The catalog description^[1] noted, "Italy. Venice. Paolo Rainier Ducatone ND (1778-1779)-BC MS66 NGC. Exceptionally well-preserved for this 18th century ducato type, the surfaces finely patinated in silver over shimmering luster that rolls alluringly over the fields, these revealing the greatest care in preservation these past 200 plus years. Ex. Stack's (January 2007, Lot 3803). From the Cape Coral Collection of European Crowns." This is not a ducatone (= 124 soldi) but the smaller and more common ducato (= 90 soldi). This type was issued 1779-89. None bear dates but the frequent turnover of assayers allows collectors to narrow down the time of issue to a year or two. Venice also issued silver ducatoni, scudi and talleri. By this period, Venice was a ghost of her former power, surviving only on the sufferance of her Austrian and Turkish neighbors.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 23.40 g, 0.826 fine silver, 40-41 mm diameter, this specimen 22.84 g.

Catalog reference: KM 706, Dav-1567.

Source:

• 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.
• ^[1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, Heritage Auction 3089: NYINC World & Ancient Coins Platinum & Signature Auction - Dallas, featuring the Cape Coral Collection of European Crowns and the Penn Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2020.

Links to:

• (1774-75)-LB ducato
• (1779-89) soldo
• Venice (1779-89)-LAF scudo Dav-1564
• Venice (1779-80) 2 zecchini KM-Pn191
• (1779-89) mezzo zecchino
• (1779-89) zecchino
• (1779-89)-AD ducato
• (1779-81)-AF ducato
• (1780)-RB ducato
• Coins and currency dated 1778