Ancient and World Coins

Italy, VENICE, Paolo Renier, gold Osella of 6 Zecchini, 1787, yr. viiii, lion of St Mark right, · g · in exergue, rev. inscription and date within wreath, 20.42g/12h (cf. CNI 175, pl xxxv, 9; cf. Paolucci II, 270 and 494). Extremely fine but probably sometime gilt, excessively rare, apparently unpublished at this weight and bearing the single moneyer’s initial g £6,000-8,000

Paolucci lists a gold osella of 4 zecchini for 1787 and coins of 6 zecchini for 1783 and 1785. Coins weighing 8 zecchini are known for 1780, 1782 and 1786. Most oselle of 1787 bear the moneyer’s initials gf (Girolamo Foscarini)