$3,556.00 USD
– SOLDStruck in the Principality of Achaia during the mid-14th century, this gold zecchino reflects the enduring influence of Venetian commerce and artistry on Crusader and post-Crusader states in the eastern Mediterranean. Achaia, once a Latin stronghold in the Peloponnese, frequently emulated Venetian coinage standards to integrate its economy with broader trade networks. These zecchini, also known as ducats, maintained the high gold purity and iconic religious imagery that defined their Venetian prototypes. This particular specimen, graded PCGS MS65, is among the finest known from the region and era, preserved with near-perfect surfaces and brilliant luster.
Obverse: Christ Pantocrator stands facing, holding the Book of Gospels in his left hand and raising his right in benediction. The figure is enclosed by a mandorla and framed by an abbreviated Latin or Greek legend, often rendered as “IC XC” or “Jesus Christ Conquers.”
Reverse: A haloed standing saint—commonly St. Theodore or a martial archangel—holds a long cross or spear and a shield, signifying divine protection. He is typically paired with a ruler figure or shown individually, depending on the variant. A surrounding legend attributes divine favor or indicates the issuing authority.
The coin’s high-relief detail, sharp devices, and deeply lustrous surfaces confirm its exceptional preservation. In MS65, it ranks as a condition rarity, with few known examples achieving this technical grade. As a historically charged artifact of Latin-Greek numismatic fusion, this Achaia zecchino offers elite appeal to advanced collectors of Crusader, Venetian, or medieval European gold coinage.
