$5,005.00 USD
Struck during the brief but refined rule of Paolo Renier (1779–1789), this Venice 1 Zecchino, graded NGC MS64, is among the final emissions of the famed Venetian Republic before its fall to Napoleon in 1797. The zecchino—renowned for its consistent purity and iconic religious imagery—stood as a cornerstone of Venetian commercial credibility across the Mediterranean.
Obverse: Shows Saint Mark, patron of Venice, standing left and presenting a staff topped with a cross to the kneeling Doge Paolo Renier at right. The legend S M VENET PAVL RAINER DVX honors both saint and sovereign. The depiction is sharply rendered, with excellent preservation of the robes, halo, and banner.
Reverse: Christ stands within a radiant mandorla, surrounded by stars and the legend SIT T XPE DAT QTV REGIS ISTE DVCAT, which translates to "Let this ducat be blessed, O Christ, you who reign." This long-standing reverse design emphasized the sacred backing of Venice’s monetary system.
Graded NGC MS64, this specimen exhibits superb luster, bold central detail, and minimal signs of handling. As one of the final issues of the Venetian ducat before the Republic's dissolution, this near-Gem piece embodies the fading grandeur of an independent Venice and holds tremendous appeal for collectors of late Italian states coinage and classical trade gold.
