Finest Known 1346-64 Achaia Gold Zecchino 0

[gmarguli]

Recently going through my "cool coin, but it doesn't fit my collection" boxes to see what I had. Came across this. It's a 1346-64 Achaia (Italy/Greece) Robert d'Anjou-Tarente Gold Zecchino. The design is considered a crude imitation of the Venetian coinage of Andrea Dandolo.

Reverse features Christ standing facing, holding gospels and raising hand in benediction, surrounded by mandorla and stars. Obverse features St. Mark standing right presenting banner to a kneeling Doge.

The strike on this example is superb, even if the dies are showing a little fatigue. 

This coin used to be very rare before a small hoard of them surfaced around 10 years ago. A dealer brought maybe 25 examples to the NYINC show and they were instantly snapped up. I managed to buy about 10 of them and have sold all but 3 over the years.

This example is graded PCGS MS66 and is a pop 3/0. I've got one of the another MS66s and an MS65+. Not very often you find a superb gem ~650 year old gold coin. 

[scopru]

Great looking example!  

[Just Bob]

Great coin! Any idea how many exist in all grades?

[James_OldeTowne]

I think any collector, even if he primarily collects U.S., should consider one of these Medieval zecchino gold coins.  They are cheap in light of the fascinating designs, often highly attractive production, and attainable grades.

Beautiful coin you have there!

[RWB]

RE: "Reverse features Christ standing facing, holding gospels and raising hand in benediction, surrounded by mandorla and stars."

A later interpretation of this [obverse] is:

Christ standing facing, holding a cookbook with his hand raised to receive a trulla (ladle). Framed by the entry to "Lazarus' Bar and Grill," surrounded by Michelin stars. ("Lazarus' Bar and Grill" advertising slogan was We Rise to Please.)

PS: Extremely nice coin. Many medieval and renaissance coins are available in superb condition at modest prices. Eastern Roman Empire and later caliphate gold coins are notable for their quality.

[gmarguli]

On 11/4/2020 at 7:10 PM, Just Bob said:

Great coin! Any idea how many exist in all grades?

Not sure how many in total, but there are maybe 50 in the pop reports. Most of them are mint state and I suspect they came from the hoard. I know the dealer sold some at a European show before going to the NYINC show. Based on historical auction results, few examples appeared before the hoard was dispersed and those examples were generally lightly circulated. 

[gigiwinter]

That's pretty good.

png to ico

Edited December 14, 2020 by gigiwinter

[MAULEMALL]

A fantastic coin and totally appropriate for the season....

Do heritage know that Mark was a Saint?