Malta 1741 12 tari
The first specimen is from a William Rosenblum price list, which noted, "MALTA. 1741. Scudo (12 Tari). Bust left/Crowned shield. One year type with legend around shield. F/VF. offered at $200." The second specimen was lot 2780 in Sincona sale 77 (Zürich, May 2022), where it sold for 600 CHF (about US$728 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"MALTA. Emanuel Pinto, 1741-1773. Scudo 1741, Valetta. Sehr schön. Kleine Randfehler. (Order of Malta, Emanuel Pinto, 1741-73, scudo of 1741, Valetta mint. Very fine, Minor edge flaws.)"
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 1741 only and is scarce. It accompanied a two scudi (Dav-1599). The Order also struck ducats.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver.
Catalog reference: KM-224, Cr-14.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 77, World Coins and Medals, Bullion Auction, Coins and Medals of Switzerland, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2022.
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