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Auction: 13039 - World Coins and Commemorative Medals
Lot: 417

(x) Venice, Marc'Antonio Giustinian (1684-88), Osella, anno IV (1687), struck in gold 'da 4 Zecchini', 13.68g, s m v m ant ivstinianvs d, St Mark seated, handing banner to the Doge who kneels before him, .anno iiii. in exergue, rev. et solvs et simvl, the Lion of St Mark siezing branches from a palm tree, .l.p., for Lunardo Pisani, in exergue (CNI.81; P.334), small light scratch behind lion, mount removed from reverse, very fine, rare

The reverse alludes to the successful campaigns in the Morea (Peleponnese) against the Ottoman Empire during the Sixth Ottoman-Venetian War, also known as la guerra di Morea, the Morean War (1683-99). The most memorable event during the conquest of the Morea was the destruction of the Parthenon during the six day siege of the Acropolis (September 23-29 1687). A Venetian shell landed in the temple during the evening of September 26. Unfortunately the Turks were using the building as an ammunition store, and it is estimated 200 men were killed in the enormous explosion.

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Sold for
£3,100