Malta 1738 scudo

from the Stack's Bowers June 2021 Collector's Choice sale, lot 72172

This specimen was lot 72172 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, June 2021), where it sold for $204. The catalog description^[1] noted, "MALTA. Knights Hospitaller (Order of Saint John). Scudo, 1738. Valletta Mint. Ramon Despuig. PCGS Genuine--Edge Repaired, VF Details Gold Shield. Quite deeply toned near the peripheries on the obverse, this charming minor has certainly seen its fair share of circulation, but nevertheless retains solid detail." Malta, an island between Italy and Tunisia was ruled by the Knights of St. John from the 1500's to their ouster by Napoleon in 1798. After Napoleon's fall, the British occupied the island as a base until the 1960's, when Malta became an independent republic. The Knights of St. John, now the Order of Malta, still exist but are based in Rome where they run a hospital. The Maltese used currency derived from their neighbors the Sicilians; 20 grani = one tari, 12 tari = one scudo. This type was struck 1737-38 and is scarce. It accompanied a two scudi (Dav-1598). The Order also struck ducats.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: silver.

Catalog reference: KM-203.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
• ^[1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The June 2021 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.

Link to:

• 1724 scudo
• 1737 4 tari = 1/3 scudo
• Malta 1737 12 tari = scudo
• 1738 2 scudi
• 1741 scudo
• Coins and currency dated 1738