Coinage of the Republic of Venice
Encyclopedia
The Coinage of the Republic of Venice include the coins produced by the Republic of Venice
from the late 12th century to 1866. After this date, the mint
of Venice
.
from which later the Republic of Venice originated), ancient historians such as Andrea Dandolo
and Marin Sanudo mentions that the privilege of coinage was given to Venice by the kings of Italy Rudolph II
(in 921) and Berengar II
(in 950); however, it is more likely that this privilege had been granted by Byzantine emperors, as coins with the names of Venice and the name of German emperors Louis I (814-840) and Lothair I (840-855) had been already in circulation before the aforementioned dates. From around 1031 are mentioned coins minted under doge Ottone Orseolo, while in 1193-1202 Enrico Dandolo
issued in Venice the silver coin called Matapan, named after the Greek promontory.
The most common type of Venetian coin (in particular in the silver and gold ducati) had the doge's image received the standard from St. Mark on the obverse. The zecchino had on the reverse Christ within an oval (mandorla), which also contained nine stars. The zecchini did not change from the first issue, in 1284, to the last one, during the reign of the last doge of Venice in 1796, Ludovico Manin
.
The main coins minted during the Republic of Venice include:
Other types included the osella
, a medal-coin awarded by the doge to the Republic's main personalities.
The mint of the Republic's coins was located in Venice, in the Palazzo della Zecca. The coinage was rigidly controlled by the Quarantia, an assembly with financial-economical tasks, also acting as Supreme Court.
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
from the late 12th century to 1866. After this date, the mint
Mint (coin)
A mint is an industrial facility which manufactures coins for currency.The history of mints correlates closely with the history of coins. One difference is that the history of the mint is usually closely tied to the political situation of an era...
of Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
.
History
Although there are no informations about the coinage in what was the Duchy of Venice (a semi-independent entity within the Byzantine EmpireByzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
from which later the Republic of Venice originated), ancient historians such as Andrea Dandolo
Andrea Dandolo
Andrea Dandolo was elected the 54th doge of Venice in 1343, replacing Bartolomeo Gradenigo who died in late 1342....
and Marin Sanudo mentions that the privilege of coinage was given to Venice by the kings of Italy Rudolph II
Rudolph II of Burgundy
Rudolph II was king of Upper Burgundy , Lower Burgundy , and Italy . He was the son of Rudolph I, king of Upper Burgundy, and it is presumed that his mother was his father's known wife, Guilla of Provence...
(in 921) and Berengar II
Berengar II of Italy
Berengar of Ivrea , sometimes also referred to as Berengar II of Italy, was Margrave of Ivrea and usurper King of Italy from 950 until his deposition in 961, the last before Italy's incorporation into the Holy Roman Empire...
(in 950); however, it is more likely that this privilege had been granted by Byzantine emperors, as coins with the names of Venice and the name of German emperors Louis I (814-840) and Lothair I (840-855) had been already in circulation before the aforementioned dates. From around 1031 are mentioned coins minted under doge Ottone Orseolo, while in 1193-1202 Enrico Dandolo
Enrico Dandolo
Enrico Dandolo — anglicised as Henry Dandolo and Latinized as Henricus Dandulus — was the 41st Doge of Venice from 1195 until his death...
issued in Venice the silver coin called Matapan, named after the Greek promontory.
The most common type of Venetian coin (in particular in the silver and gold ducati) had the doge's image received the standard from St. Mark on the obverse. The zecchino had on the reverse Christ within an oval (mandorla), which also contained nine stars. The zecchini did not change from the first issue, in 1284, to the last one, during the reign of the last doge of Venice in 1796, Ludovico Manin
Ludovico Manin
Ludovico Manin was the last Doge of Venice. He governed Venice from 9 March 1789 until 1797, when he was forced to abdicate by Napoleon Bonaparte.-Early life:...
.
The main coins minted during the Republic of Venice include:
- silver ducato (or Matapan)Grosso of VeniceThe grosso of Venice is a silver coin first introduced in Venice in 1193 under doge Enrico Dandolo. It originally weighed 2.18 grams and was composed of 98.5% pure silver, valued at 26 dinarii...
, minted for the first time between 1193 and 1202; it was one of the first grossi - silver soldo, minted during the reign of doge Francesco DandoloFrancesco DandoloFrancesco Dandolo was the 52nd Doge of Venice. He ruled from 1329 to 1339. During his reign Venice began its policy of extending its territory on the Italian mainland.- Family :...
(1328–1339) - lira (including lira Tron), minted from 1472
- ducato, minted from 1284, with the same weight and title of FlorenceRepublic of FlorenceThe Republic of Florence , or the Florentine Republic, was a city-state that was centered on the city of Florence, located in modern Tuscany, Italy. The republic was founded in 1115, when the Florentine people rebelled against the Margraviate of Tuscany upon Margravine Matilda's death. The...
's florin. From the 16th century onwards it was called zecchino - giustina, name of different types of silver coins minted under doge Alvise II MocenigoAlvise II MocenigoAlvise II Mocenigo was the 110th doge of Venice from July 17, 1700 until his death.-References:...
in 1572. A giustina minore ("lesser giustina") was minted under Pasquale Cicogna). - scudo, both in silver and gold. It showed the city's symbol. The golden scudo was minted for the first time in the 16th century and wighed some 3.40 g
- soldo, in silver, minted from doge Francesco DandoloFrancesco DandoloFrancesco Dandolo was the 52nd Doge of Venice. He ruled from 1329 to 1339. During his reign Venice began its policy of extending its territory on the Italian mainland.- Family :...
(1328–1339) - gazzetta, of the value of 2 soldi
- quartarolo, a small coin with the value of one quarter denario, minted for the first time under Enrico DandoloEnrico DandoloEnrico Dandolo — anglicised as Henry Dandolo and Latinized as Henricus Dandulus — was the 41st Doge of Venice from 1195 until his death...
(1192), and discontinued in 1328 - tallero, used for overseas trades
Other types included the osella
Osella
Osella is an Italian racing car manufacturer and former Formula One team based in Volpiano near Turin, Italy. They participated in 132 Grands Prix between 1980 and 1990...
, a medal-coin awarded by the doge to the Republic's main personalities.
The mint of the Republic's coins was located in Venice, in the Palazzo della Zecca. The coinage was rigidly controlled by the Quarantia, an assembly with financial-economical tasks, also acting as Supreme Court.