Malta (1572-81) 4 tari
This specimen was lot 2987 in Sincona sale 33 (Zürich, October 2016), where it sold for 2,500 CHF (about US$2,968 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"Malta. Jean Levesque de la Cassière 1572-1581 4 Tari o. J. Valetta. Selten. Sehr schön-vorzüglich. (Order of Malta, Jean Levesque de la Cassière 1572-81, undated four tari, Valetta mint. Rare, Very fine-extremely fine.)"
The rather gruesome image of the head of the prophet on a platter appears on a number of Maltese coins of the early modern period. Severed heads were likely a familiar sight in Malta in the 1550's as the island endured a long siege from Turkish attackers. Grand master Jean de la Valette's heroic efforts in fending off the besiegers led to the main town being renamed for him, Valetta. 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.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 11.50 g.
Catalog reference: R. S. 15.
- [1]Jürg Richter, Numismatic Coins & Medals, Auction 33, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2016.
Link to:
- c.1568 4 tari
- c.1572 zecchino
- Malta 1611 4 tari
- Coins and currency dated 1572
- return to coins of Order of Malta