ITALY, Venezia (Venice). Coinage struck during the Siege of Cyprus. CU Bisante ossidionale (28mm, 6.28 g, 10h). Dated 1570. Near VF.

Electronic Auction 548
Lot: 880. Estimated: $ 100

World, Copper

Sold For $ 650. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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ITALY, Venezia (Venice). Coinage struck during the Siege of Cyprus. CU Bisante ossidionale (28mm, 6.28 g, 10h). Dated 1570. Lion of St. Mark reclining left, holding Gospel in paws / Legend in five lines. Paolucci 908; Korchnak 215. Brown surfaces, double struck. Near VF.

From the Libertas Collection, purchased 19 April 1976.

In July of 1570 the Turkish forces of Sultan Selim II invaded Cyprus. Nicosia quickly surrendered but Famagusta, against all odds, managed to fend off the Ottoman army for nearly a year. Such copper “bezants” were struck by the Venetian commander Marc’Antonio Bragadin as payment for his troops, with the expectation that these coins would be exchanged for proper gold bezants in the event of a favorable end to the conflict. The Venetian forces were hopelessly outnumbered, however, and were forced to surrender in August 1571. According to the terms of the surrender, Bragadin was guaranteed safe passage off the island, but the Ottoman general Lala Mustafa Pasha reneged. Bragadin was imprisoned and, shortly thereafter, flayed alive. His skin, stuffed with straw, was sent to the Sultan as a trophy.

Closing Date and Time: 18 October 2023 at 14:53:00 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.