Malta 1742 4 zecchini Fr-31

Sincona sale 4, lot 5163

This specimen was lot 5163 in Sincona sale 4 (Zurich, October 2011), where it sold for 8,250 CHF (about US$10,975 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"MALTA Johanniterorden auf Rhodos und Malta Emanuel Pinto, 1741-1775. 4 Zecchini 1742. Geharnischtes Brustbild nach links. Rv. Gekröntes Wappen. Gutes vorzüglich. (Order of Malta, Emanuel Pinto, 1741-1775, four zecchini or quadruple ducat of 1742. Obverse: armored bust to left; reverse: crowned arms. Good extremely fine.)"

Ferdinand von Hompesch was the last grand master of the knights of Malta before the Order was evicted from the island by Napoleon. The British in turn evicted the French but never returned the island to the Order, retaining it as a colony until 1964. The Order today runs charity hospitals in Europe and is headquartered in Rome. Thirty tari made a piastra or tallero. This type is recorded for 1742 only and is rare.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 14 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 13,07 g.

Catalog reference: R.S. 4, Fr-31, KM 237.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.* ^[1]Numismatic Coins, Medals & Banknotes: Auction 4, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2011.

Link to:

• 1723 2 zecchini
• 1724 4 zecchini
• 1741 12 tari
• 1798 30 tari
• Coins and currency dated 1742
• return to coins of Order of Malta