ITALY, Venezia (Venice). Coinage for Cyprus. AV 8 Bezants (19mm, 3.41 g, 3h). Countermarks applied circa 1517/8. Countermarks: VF. Host: VF.

Triton XXIX
Lot: 1067. Estimated: $ 5 000

World, Coin-in-Hand Video, Gold

Sold For $ 9 500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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ITALY, Venezia (Venice). Coinage for Cyprus. AV 8 Bezants (19mm, 3.41 g, 3h). Countermarks applied circa 1517/8. ‘8’ and uncertain pattern (9? 6? zigzag?) in two countermarks on an Ottoman Ashrafi of Selim I (Misr mint. Dated AH 923 [AH 1517/8]). For countermarks: cf. Broome, “Countermarked Islamic Gold Coins in Venetian Cyprus,” in NC 167 (1997), B and pl. 42, 13 (for first countermark); cf. Paolucci, Zecca p. 188-9 (for silver countermarks of this series). For host: Damali 9-mS-A1a-923; Album –; ICV 3154. Deposits. Countermarks: VF. Host: VF. Extremely rare. Only two gold pieces of this series in CoinArchives.

In 1489, with the Ottoman threat looming over Cyprus, the Republic of Venice took direct control of the island, officially deposing Queen Caterina Corner. No Cypriot coinage would be struck by the Republic for several decades. In its absence, worn Lusignan issues and exported Venetian types supplied the markets of Cyprus. Around 1518, when new 8 and 16 Soldi denominations were issued back home, Venetian authorities revalued and countermarked the Venetian-type silver circulating on Cyprus. In addition, a limited number of Ottoman and Mamluk coins were also countermarked. These coins are extremely rare today, with only two examples found in CoinArchives, in addition to the four published by Broome.

Metcalf has suggested that the ‘zigzag’ pattern stamped near the edge was intended to prevent clipping.

The final winners of all Triton XXIX lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 13-14 January 2026.

Triton XXIX – Session Four – Lot 920-1141 will be held Wednesday afternoon, 14 January 2026 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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