ITALY, Venezia (Venice). Antonio Grimani. 1521-1523. AR Osella (33mm, 8.89 g, 2h). Struck 1521. Good Fine.

Triton XXVII
Lot: 1070. Estimated: $ 3 000

The J. Eric Engstrom Collection: Italy, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 3 750. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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ITALY, Venezia (Venice). Antonio Grimani. 1521-1523. AR Osella (33mm, 8.89 g, 2h). Struck 1521. Christ seated right, holding gospel and raising hand in benediction; to right, St. Mark standing right, presenting banner to Doge kneeling left / Justitia, standing right, and Pax, standing left, clasping hands. Paolucci, Zecca 1; Werdnig 1 variante 1. Toned, mount marks, a few light scratches. Good Fine. Extremely rare. The first osella.

From the J. Eric Engstrom Collection. Ex Luma Collection (Spink 136, 6 October 1999), lot 401.

From the introduction to the Luma Collection: ‘Osellas orignated as an annual tribute payment by the Doge to the Venetian nobility upon surrendering absolute power. Gifts of particular symbolic poultry evolved in 1361 into partial cash payments, and in 1521 into specifically struck coins: (the name osella is derived from the word for bird). As each member of the great Council received one coin, approximately 2,500 pieces were issued each year. The coins were legal tender and did circulate, but many were retained, partly for their range of pictoral designs... As they were mainly intended as presentation pieces, they have usually been mounted.’

The final winners of all Triton XXVII lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 9-10 January 2024.

Triton XXVII – Session Four – Lot 984–1341 will be held Wednesday afternoon, 10 January 2024 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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