an image of a gold coin with the image of a man on a horse
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Estimate €5,000
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Description
ITALY Venice, Alvise Pisani (1735–1741). 4-sequin osella, 1735 – Year I, Venice. Obverse: *SANCT* MARCVS VENETVS*. The crowned and nimbated Lion of St Mark on the left, holding the Gospels; in the exergue: (different) and (date). Rev. Within a wreath formed of two branches: ALOYSIJ PISANI PRINCIPIS MVNVS ANNO *I*. Mont.2597 – Paol.II-401; Gold – 13.89 g – 38.5 mm - 12 o’clock NGC AU DETAILS CLEANED (8772184-011). By Zorzi Foscolo (ZF). Same dies as MDC 9 no. 1070, which was part of the 3 sequins set! A chip on the edge at 7 o’clock. The blank is warped and has been previously cleaned, beneath a lovely golden patina. Superb. Traditionally, the Doge was required to present five wild ducks a year to each noble of the Great Council. In 1521, when wars prevented hunting in the Murano lagoon where these birds were caught, it was decreed that they should be replaced by coins of equal value: thus the ‘oselle’ or ‘bird’ coin was born. The first Doge to issue these silver oselle was Antonio Grimani in 1521. Then, following the victory at Lepanto over the Turks in 1571, the oselle were struck in gold, some of them in Murano itself
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About the sale Numismatics
Auction location
Auction time 10/15/2026 at 9:30 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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