Venice. Marcantonio Giustinian Osella Year 1 (1684), Paolucci-167, AU53 NGC. Obv. St. Mark seated right, offering the banner of Venice to the Doge kneeling left. Rev. View of the Piazzetta of San Marco, with an angel flying left above. A highly-artistic type, with dark toning and good detail, particularly on the reverse. There have been only a few examples of this type sold publicly in the past decade; most were in relatively poor condition, but the two comparable examples hammered at $5000 (Numismatik Lanz, Auction 145, with Numismatica Bernardi, 5 January 2009, lot 236) and $7000 (Classical Numismatic Group, Auction 87, 18 May 2011, lot 1846). A highly desirable piece. Realized $8,812.50. Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.
Venice. Alvise Contarini gold Osella of 4 Zecchini 1682, Paolucci II, 330, Nomisma 182/B (R4), 13.86gm, AU58 NGC. The obverse shows Saint Mark seated, handing the flag to a kneeling Doge, and the reverse has a six-line inscription in a beaded circle. The gold Osellas are extremely rare, with only a few pieces of each known. This example has full legends with abundant remaining luster. Alvise Contarini was the Doge of Venice from 1676-1684. As such, he was the leader, and chief public official, of the Republic of Venice. Ex: ?Colonel? E.H.R. Green; Green Estate? Partnership of Eric P Newman / B.G. Johnson. Realized $9,400.00. Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.
Venice. Alvise Contarini gold Osella of 4 Zecchini 1682, Paolucci II, 330, Nomisma 182/B (R4), 13.86gm, AU58 NGC. The obverse shows Saint Mark seated, handing the flag to a kneeling Doge, and the reverse has a six-line inscription in a beaded circle. The gold Osellas are extremely rare, with only a few pieces of each known. This example has full legends with abundant remaining luster. Alvise Contarini was the Doge of Venice from 1676-1684. As such, he was the leader, and chief public official, of the Republic of Venice. Ex: ?Colonel? E.H.R. Green; Green Estate? Partnership of Eric P Newman / B.G. Johnson. Realized $9,400.00. Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.
Venice. Domenico Contarini gold Osella of 4 Zecchini Anno XI (1669) ZQ, Paolucci-320 (R5), Nomisma-168/BDA, CNI-, mintmaster Zuane Querini, XF Details (Mount Removed) NGC. Obv. Kneeling Doge accepting the banner from St. Mark. Rev. Justice, with sword and scales, sitting on crouching lions. Extremely rare. Although apparently worn as some type of badge, this piece, with evidence of mount removals at 6:00 and 12:00, is an extreme rarity in gold. Unlisted in CNI, we can find no listing of an offering for sale in this metal. Realized $3,290.00. Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.
Venice. Domenico Contarini gold Osella of 4 Zecchini Anno XI (1669) ZQ, Paolucci-320 (R5), Nomisma-168/BDA, CNI-, mintmaster Zuane Querini, XF Details (Mount Removed) NGC. Obv. Kneeling Doge accepting the banner from St. Mark. Rev. Justice, with sword and scales, sitting on crouching lions. Extremely rare. Although apparently worn as some type of badge, this piece, with evidence of mount removals at 6:00 and 12:00, is an extreme rarity in gold. Unlisted in CNI, we can find no listing of an offering for sale in this metal. Realized $3,290.00. Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.
Venice. Giovanni Corner I gold 2 Scudi d'oro ND (1625-29), Fr-1460, Paolucci-4, AU55 NGC. A scarce and high-quality piece. The last piece auctioned publicly was sold by Stack's in January, 2011 for a hammer of $4,500. The present example is arguably nicer, as it does not have the same die breaks as the other. A very solid Italian multiple in gold. Realized $4,112.50. Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.
Venice. Giovanni Corner I gold 2 Scudi d'oro ND (1625-29), Fr-1460, Paolucci-4, AU55 NGC. A scarce and high-quality piece. The last piece auctioned publicly was sold by Stack's in January, 2011 for a hammer of $4,500. The present example is arguably nicer, as it does not have the same die breaks as the other. A very solid Italian multiple in gold. Realized $4,112.50. Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.
Tuscany. Cosimo II di Medici Piastre 1613, Montagano 260/2 (R2), Dav-4191, AU53 NGC. Obv. Armored bust right. Rev. St. John the Baptist standing, facing, with long cross. An exceptional example of this rare issue. The strike is bold and the surfaces are free of notable imperfections. Cosimo di Medici was seriously ill during almost the entire eleven years of his reign as Grand Duke of Tuscany. Because of this, he did not take active part in governing his realm. He died in 1609 from tuberculosis. Realized $3,290.00. Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.
Tuscany. Cosimo II di Medici Piastre 1613, Montagano 260/2 (R2), Dav-4191, AU53 NGC. Obv. Armored bust right. Rev. St. John the Baptist standing, facing, with long cross. An exceptional example of this rare issue. The strike is bold and the surfaces are free of notable imperfections. Cosimo di Medici was seriously ill during almost the entire eleven years of his reign as Grand Duke of Tuscany. Because of this, he did not take active part in governing his realm. He died in 1609 from tuberculosis. Realized $3,290.00. Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.
Tuscany. Cosimo II di Medici Testone 1611, Montagano 265/1 (R2), CNI XII-53, MS62 NGC. Obv. Bust of Cosimo II right. Rev. St. John the Baptist sitting facing. A rare Testone in absolutely incredible condition. Fully lustrous surfaces with superb steel-blue toning. These wonderful pieces of numismatic art virtually never appear in any condition approaching this exceptional example. Realized $1,880.00. Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.