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  • Venetian Soldino hammered silver coins

    Venetian coin site

    Legends and history

    During the early 15th and early 16th centuries the English economy experienced so serious a shortage of English-struck halfpennies that people began using foreign coinage to fill the gap. The coin they used was the Venetian soldino.

    The Venetians were notorious traders in the late medieval period with trade networks covering the Mediterranean and Europe. The Venetian fleet of galleys set out for England during May and stayed there until late August or early September, During these summer months soldini entered the English economy through trade with Venetian merchants and quickly became widespread across England. The soldino, meaning ‘little shilling’ became nicknamed the ‘galyhalpens’, or Galley-halfpence, after the ‘Galley-men’ who imported them. While the general population was enjoying these new exotic coins, the government was grappling with two major problems. The first was that the soldino was an illegally imported coin, and the second was that it weighed slightly less than an English halfpenny but mimicked it nonetheless. Soldini therefore became a particular source of irritation for the English government. During the early 15th century port-officials were charged with confiscating any soldini they came across and were later given the powers to forcibly search the galleys. Contemporary documents show large quantities of soldini being seized at London, Dover and Southampton. By the 1420s the English government eventually persuaded the Venetian senate to forbid the export of soldini, which effectively stemmed the flow of the coins into England. This success was short lived however, as large quantities of coins were imported once more by Venetian merchants in the early 16th century.

    Venetian soldini span the period c.1382-1526. The dates of these coins show that the majority entered England in two substantial incursions: the first 1400- c.1415 under Doge Michele Steno, and the second c.1501-21 under Doge Leonardo Loredan

    Type 1
    Obverse: [Doge’s Name] DVX; Doge standing left, holding banner; mint control marks in right field
    Reverse: S MARCVS VENETI; Winged lion of St Mark, holding book of gospels

    Type 2
    Obverse: [Doge’s Name] DVX; Doge standing left, holding banner; mint control marks in right field
    Reverse: No Legend; Winged lion of St Mark, holding book of gospels, all within a quatrefoil with four external annulets between the lobes

    Type 3
    Obverse: [Doge’s Name] DVX (in exergue), S M V; Doge holding banner and kneeling before St Mark
    Reverse: LAVS TIBI SOLI (Praise To Thee Alone); Standing figure of Christ facing, haloed and holding cross; mint control marks in exergue

    The Doges
    The doges of Venice from the late 14th to mid 16th century are listed below with the types they are known to have struck. It should be noted that their names are spelt in various ways, depending on whether they are rendered in English, Italian or Latin, and they are often very abbreviated on the coins.

    Andrea Contarini 1368-1382 (Type 1)

    Italian States-Venice, Andrea Contarini as Doge (1368-1382), Soldino, 1369-1379, Second Type, First Issue, Venice Mint, Filippo Barbarigo (May 10, 1370-May 18, 1385) as Mintmaster for Silver
    + ANDR ' 9-TAR DVX
    Doge standing left, holding banner
    F in left field
    + . S . MARCVS . VENETI .
    Winged lion of St. Mark facing left, holding book with both front paws all in inner circle
    Plain Edge
    14mm x 15mm, 0.49g, Silver
    Paolucci 35.4


    Michele Morosini 1382
    Antonio Venier 1382-1400 (Type 1)

    Italian States-Venice, Antonio Venier as Doge (1382-1400), Soldino, Venice Mint
    + ANTON VE_NERIO DVX
    Doge standing left, holding banner, * / P in right field
    + . S . MARCVS . VENETI .
    Winged lion of St. Mark facing left, holding book with both front paws all in inner circle
    Plain Edge
    15mm x 17mm, 0.40g, Silver

    Italian States-Venice, Antonio Venier as Doge (1382-1400), Soldino, Venice Mint
    + . ANTO. VE_NERIO DVX .
    Doge standing left, holding banner, * | F across fields
    + . S . MARCVS . VENETI .
    Winged lion of St. Mark facing left, holding book with both front paws, all in inner circle
    Plain Edge

    Italian States-Venice, Antonio Venier as Doge (1382-1400), Soldino, Venice Mint
    + ANTON VE_NERIO DVX
    Doge standing left, holding banner, * / P in right field
    + . S . MARCVS . VENETI .
    Winged lion of St. Mark facing left, holding book with both front paws all in inner circle
    Plain Edge
    15mm x 17mm, 0.40g, Silver


    Michele Steno 1400-1413 (Type 1)

    Italian States-Venice, Michele Steno as Doge (1400-1413), Soldino, Venice Mint
    + MICHELE-STEN . DVX
    Doge standing left, holding banner, * / m in right field
    + . S . MARCVS  . VENETI .
    Winged lion of St. Mark facing left, holding book with both front paws all in inner circle
    Plain Edge
    15mm x 16mm, 0.41g, Silver

    Tomaso Mocenigo 1414-1423 (Type 1)
    Francesco Foscari 1423-1457 (Type 1)
    Pasquale Malipiero 1457-1462
    Cristoforo Moro 1462-1471
    Nicolo Tron 1471-1473 (Type 2)
    Nicolo Marcello 1473-1474
    Pietro Mocenigo 1474-1476
    Andrea Vendramin 1476-1478
    Giovanni Mocenigo1478-1485
    Marco Barbarigo 1485-1486
    Agostino Barbarigo 1486-1501 (Type 3)
    Leonardo Loredan 1501-1521 (Type 3)
    Antonio Grimani 1521-1523
    Andreas Gritti 1523-1538 (Type 3)
    Pietro Lando 1539-1545

     

    Type 1
    Obverse: [Doge’s Name] DVX; Doge standing left, holding banner; mint control marks in right field
    Reverse: S MARCVS VENETI; Winged lion of St Mark, holding book of gospels

     

    Doge Michele Steno (1400-1413).


    Obv: MICHAEL STEN' DVX (Michele Steno, Doge). Doge standing left, holding standard.


    Rev: S MARCVS VENETI (Saint Mark of Venice). Winged and nimbate lion of Saint Mark facing.

    Doge standing left, holding banner, * / m in right field

    Doge Michele Steno (1400-1413).


    Obv: MICHAEL STEN' DVX (Michele Steno, Doge). Doge standing left, holding standard.


    Rev: S MARCVS VENETI (Saint Mark of Venice). Winged and nimbate lion of Saint Mark facing.

    Doge Michele Steno (1400-1413).


    Obv: MICHAEL STEN' DVX (Michele Steno, Doge). Doge standing left, holding standard.


    Rev: S MARCVS VENETI (Saint Mark of Venice). Winged and nimbate lion of Saint Mark facing.


    Doge standing left, holding banner, * / D in right field

    Doge Michele Steno (1400-1413).


    Obv: MICHAEL STEN' DVX (Michele Steno, Doge). Doge standing left, holding standard.


    Rev: S MARCVS VENETI (Saint Mark of Venice). Winged and nimbate lion of Saint Mark facing.


    Doge standing left, holding banner, * / m in right field

    Doge Michele Steno (1400-1413).


    Obv: MICHAEL STEN' DVX (Michele Steno, Doge). Doge standing left, holding standard.


    Rev: S MARCVS VENETI (Saint Mark of Venice). Winged and nimbate lion of Saint Mark facing.


    0.34g,14.40mm
    Antonio Venier (1382-1400) AD hammered Soldino silver Venetian coin
    Antonio Venier (1382-1400) AD hammered Soldino silver Venetian coin

    Doge Michele Steno (1400-1413).


    Obv: MICHAEL STEN' DVX (Michele Steno, Doge). Doge standing left, holding standard.


    Rev: S MARCVS VENETI (Saint Mark of Venice). Winged and nimbate lion of Saint Mark facing.


    Doge standing left, holding banner, * / m in right field

     

    0.32g, 15.29mm

    Doge Michele Steno (1400-1413).


    Obv: MICHAEL STEN' DVX (Michele Steno, Doge). Doge standing left, holding standard.


    Rev: S MARCVS VENETI (Saint Mark of Venice). Winged and nimbate lion of Saint Mark facing.


    Doge standing left, holding banner, * / m in right field

    Antonio Venier (1382-1400)
    Venetian Soldino hammered silver coin

    Antonio Venier (1382-1400)
    AD hammered Soldino silver Venitian coin

    Doge Michele Steno (1400-1413).


    Obv: MICHAEL STEN' DVX (Michele Steno, Doge). Doge standing left, holding standard.


    Rev: S MARCVS VENETI (Saint Mark of Venice). Winged and nimbate lion of Saint Mark facing.

    Doge Michele Steno (1400-1413).


    Obv: MICHAEL STEN' DVX (Michele Steno, Doge). Doge standing left, holding standard.


    Rev: S MARCVS VENETI (Saint Mark of Venice). Winged and nimbate lion of Saint Mark facing.

    Doge Michele Steno (1400-1413).


    Obv: MICHAEL STEN' DVX (Michele Steno, Doge). Doge standing left, holding standard.


    Rev: S MARCVS VENETI (Saint Mark of Venice). Winged and nimbate lion of Saint Mark facing.


    Doge standing left, holding banner, * / m in right field

    Venetian Soldino issued by Doge Michele Steno (1400-1413).
    Obv: MICHAEL STEN' DVX (Michele Steno, Doge). Doge standing left, holding standard.
    Rev: S MARCVS VENETI (Saint Mark of Venice). Winged and nimbate lion of Saint Mark facing.

    Doge standing left, holding banner, * / D in right field

    Venetian Soldino issued by Doge Michele Steno (1400-1413).
    Obv: MICHAEL STEN' DVX (Michele Steno, Doge). Doge standing left, holding standard.
    Rev: S MARCVS VENETI (Saint Mark of Venice). Winged and nimbate lion of Saint Mark facing.

    Doge Michele Steno (1400-1413).


    Obv: MICHAEL STEN' DVX (Michele Steno, Doge). Doge standing left, holding standard.


    Rev: S MARCVS VENETI (Saint Mark of Venice). Winged and nimbate lion of Saint Mark facing.

    Doge Michele Steno (1400-1413).


    Obv: MICHAEL STEN' DVX (Michele Steno, Doge). Doge standing left, holding standard.


    Rev: S MARCVS VENETI (Saint Mark of Venice). Winged and nimbate lion of Saint Mark facing.

    Doge Michele Steno (1400-1413).


    Obv: MICHAEL STEN' DVX (Michele Steno, Doge). Doge standing left, holding standard.


    Rev: S MARCVS VENETI (Saint Mark of Venice). Winged and nimbate lion of Saint Mark facing.


    Doge standing left, holding banner, * / D in right field

    15thC Venetian hammered silver soldino

    Doge Michele Steno (1400-1413). Venetian soldino hammered silver coin

     

    Obv: MICHAEL STEN' DVX (Michele Steno, Doge). Doge standing left, holding standard.


    Rev: S MARCVS VENETI (Saint Mark of Venice). Winged and nimbate lion of Saint Mark facing.

    Italian States-Venice, Michele Steno as Doge (1400-1413), Soldino, Venice Mint
    + MICHELE-STEN . DVX
    Doge standing left, holding banner, * / m in right field
    + . S . MARCVS  . VENETI .
    Winged lion of St. Mark facing left, holding book with both front paws all in inner circle
    Plain Edge
    15mm x 16mm, 0.41g, Silver
    Italian States-Venice, Antonio Venier as Doge (1382-1400), Soldino, Venice Mint
    + . ANTO. VE_NERIO DVX .
    Doge standing left, holding banner, * | F across fields
    + . S . MARCVS . VENETI .
    Winged lion of St. Mark facing left, holding book with both front paws, all in inner circle
    Plain Edge

    Italian States-Venice, (1382-1400), Soldino

    Doge standing left, holding banner, * | F across fields

    Winged lion of St. Mark facing left, holding book with both front paws, all in inner circle


    Plain Edge

    Italian States-Venice, Antonio Venier as Doge (1382-1400), Soldino, Venice Mint
    + . ANTO. VE_NERIO DVX .
    Doge standing left, holding banner, * Z across fields
    + . S . MARCVS . VENETI .
    Winged lion of St. Mark facing left, holding book with both front paws, all in inner circle
    Plain Edge
    Venetian Soldino issued by Doge Michele Steno (1400-1413).
    Obv: MICHAEL STEN' DVX (Michele Steno, Doge). Doge standing left, holding standard.
    Rev: S MARCVS VENETI (Saint Mark of Venice). Winged and nimbate lion of Saint Mark facing.

    Taco'd c1400 Venetian AD hammered silver soldino

    Rev: S MARCVS VENETI (Saint Mark of Venice). Winged and nimbate lion of Saint Mark facing.

    Italian States-Venice, Antonio Venier as Doge (1382-1400), Soldino, Venice Mint
    + ANTON VE_NERIO DVX
    Doge standing left, holding banner, * / P in right field
    + . S . MARCVS . VENETI .
    Winged lion of St. Mark facing left, holding book with both front paws all in inner circle
    Plain Edge
    14thC Venetian hammered silver soldino 14thC Venetian hammered silver soldino

    Doge Michele Steno (1400-1413).


    Obv: MICHAEL STEN' DVX (Michele Steno, Doge). Doge standing left, holding standard.


    Rev: S MARCVS VENETI (Saint Mark of Venice). Winged and nimbate lion of Saint Mark facing.

    Doge standing left, holding banner, * / m in right field

    Type 1
    Obverse: [Doge’s Name] DVX; Doge standing left, holding banner; mint control marks in right field
    Reverse: S MARCVS VENETI; Winged lion of St Mark, holding book of gospels

    Doge Michele Steno (1400-1413) Venetian soldino silver coin .


    Obv: MICHAEL STEN' DVX (Michele Steno, Doge). Doge standing left, holding standard.

    Doge standing left, holding banner, * / m in right field

    15thC Venetian silver soldino

    Obverse: [Doge’s Name] DVX; Doge standing left, holding banner; mint control marks in right field
    Reverse: S MARCVS VENETI; Winged lion of St Mark, holding book of gospels

    15thC Venetian hammered silver soldino

    16thC Venetian silver soldino

    Obverse: [Doge’s Name] DVX; Doge standing left, holding banner; mint control marks in right field
    Reverse: S MARCVS VENETI; Winged lion of St Mark, holding book of gospels

    15thC Venetian silver soldino

    Obverse: [Doge’s Name] DVX; Doge standing left, holding banner; mint control marks in right field
    Reverse: S MARCVS VENETI; Winged lion of St Mark, holding book of gospels

    Michele Steno 1400-1413 (Type 1)

    Italian States-Venice, Michele Steno as Doge (1400-1413), Soldino, Venice Mint
    + MICHELE-STEN . DVX
    Doge standing left, holding banner, * / m in right field
    + . S . MARCVS  . VENETI .
    Winged lion of St. Mark facing left, holding book with both front paws all in inner circle
    Plain Edge

    Italian States-Venice, Antonio Venier as Doge (1382-1400), Soldino, Venice Mint
    + . ANTO. VE_NERIO DVX .
    Doge standing left, holding banner, * | F across fields
    + . S . MARCVS . VENETI .
    Winged lion of St. Mark facing left, holding book with both front paws, all in inner circle
    Plain Edge

    Type 1
    Obverse: [Doge’s Name] DVX; Doge standing left, holding banner; mint control marks in right field
    Reverse: S MARCVS VENETI; Winged lion of St Mark, holding book of gospels

    Michele Steno 1400-1413 (Type 1)

    Italian States-Venice, Michele Steno as Doge (1400-1413), Soldino, Venice Mint
    + MICHELE-STEN . DVX
    Doge standing left, holding banner, * / m in right field
    + . S . MARCVS  . VENETI .
    Winged lion of St. Mark facing left, holding book with both front paws all in inner circle
    Plain Edge

    Michele Steno 1400-1413 (Type 1)

    Italian States-Venice, Michele Steno as Doge (1400-1413), Soldino, Venice Mint
    + MICHELE-STEN . DVX
    Doge standing left, holding banner, * / m in right field
    + . S . MARCVS  . VENETI .
    Winged lion of St. Mark facing left, holding book with both front paws all in inner circle
    Plain Edge

    Doge Michele Steno (1400-1413).


    Obv: MICHAEL STEN' DVX (Michele Steno, Doge). Doge standing left, holding standard.


    Rev: S MARCVS VENETI (Saint Mark of Venice). Winged and nimbate lion of Saint Mark facing.


    Doge standing left, holding banner, * / D in right field

    15thC Venetian soldino silver coin
    Type 2
    Obverse: [Doge’s Name] DVX; Doge standing left, holding banner; mint control marks in right field
    Reverse: No Legend; Winged lion of St Mark, holding book of gospels, all within a quatrefoil with four external annulets between the lobes

    Nicolò Tron (1471-1473) Venetian soldino hammered silver coin

    Nicolò Tron (1471-1473)
    Obv: NI.TRON VS.DVX.
    Paolucci 4, Papadopoli 17

    0.26g, 12.11mm

     

    Type 3
    Obverse: [Doge’s Name] DVX (in exergue), S M V; Doge holding banner and kneeling before St Mark
    Reverse: LAVS TIBI SOLI (Praise To Thee Alone); Standing figure of Christ facing, haloed and holding cross; mint control marks in exergue

    1501-1521Leonardo Lauredan, Doge
    0.26g,12.08mm

    Rev: LAVS TIBI SOLI (Thee Alone be Praised). Haloed figure of Christ holding a cross.

    Obv: LE LAV DVX S M V (Leonardo Lauredan, Doge. St Mark of Venice.) Doge kneeling before Saint Mark.

    1501-1521Leonardo Lauredan, Doge

    Rev: LAVS TIBI SOLI (Thee Alone be Praised). Haloed figure of Christ holding a cross.

    Obv: LE LAV DVX S M V (Leonardo Lauredan, Doge. St Mark of Venice.) Doge kneeling before Saint Mark.

    Venezia, Agostino Barbarigo LXXXIV Doge (1486-1501)
    Soldino o Marchetto (AR) Biaggi 2938
    D/ AV.BAR.S.M.V.DUX / S.Marco a s., il Doge a d.
    R/LAVS TIBI SOLI / il Redentore

    1501-1521Leonardo Lauredan, Doge

    Rev: LAVS TIBI SOLI (Thee Alone be Praised). Haloed figure of Christ holding a cross.

    Obv: LE LAV DVX S M V (Leonardo Lauredan, Doge. St Mark of Venice.) Doge kneeling before Saint Mark.

    1501-1521 Leonardo Lauredan, Doge

    Rev: LAVS TIBI SOLI (Thee Alone be Praised). Haloed figure of Christ holding a cross.

    Obv: LE LAV DVX S M V (Leonardo Lauredan, Doge. St Mark of Venice.) Doge kneeling before Saint Mark.

    1501-1521 Leonardo Lauredan, Doge

    Rev: LAVS TIBI SOLI (Thee Alone be Praised). Haloed figure of Christ holding a cross.

    Obv: LE LAV DVX S M V (Leonardo Lauredan, Doge. St Mark of Venice.) Doge kneeling before Saint Mark.

    1501-1521 Leonardo Lauredan, Doge

    Rev: LAVS TIBI SOLI (Thee Alone be Praised). Haloed figure of Christ holding a cross.

    Obv: LE LAV DVX S M V (Leonardo Lauredan, Doge. St Mark of Venice.) Doge kneeling before Saint Mark.

    1501-1521 Leonardo Lauredan, Doge

    Rev: LAVS TIBI SOLI (Thee Alone be Praised). Haloed figure of Christ holding a cross.

    Obv: LE LAV DVX S M V (Leonardo Lauredan, Doge. St Mark of Venice.) Doge kneeling before Saint Mark.

    1501-1521).
    Venetian Soldino ham

    1501-1521 Leonardo Lauredan, Doge

    Rev: LAVS TIBI SOLI (Thee Alone be Praised). Haloed figure of Christ holding a cross.

    Obv: LE LAV DVX S M V (Leonardo Lauredan, Doge. St Mark of Venice.) Doge kneeling before Saint Mark.

    1501-1521 Leonardo Lauredan, Doge

    Rev: LAVS TIBI SOLI (Thee Alone be Praised). Haloed figure of Christ holding a cross.

    Obv: LE LAV DVX S M V (Leonardo Lauredan, Doge. St Mark of Venice.) Doge kneeling before Saint Mark.

    1501-1521 Leonardo Lauredan, Doge

    Rev: LAVS TIBI SOLI (Thee Alone be Praised). Haloed figure of Christ holding a cross.

    Obv: LE LAV DVX S M V (Leonardo Lauredan, Doge. St Mark of Venice.) Doge kneeling before Saint Mark.

    1501-1521 Leonardo Lauredan, Doge

    Rev: LAVS TIBI SOLI (Thee Alone be Praised). Haloed figure of Christ holding a cross.

    Obv: LE LAV DVX S M V (Leonardo Lauredan, Doge. St Mark of Venice.) Doge kneeling before Saint Mark.

     

    1501-1521 Leonardo Lauredan, Doge

    Rev: LAVS TIBI SOLI (Thee Alone be Praised). Haloed figure of Christ holding a cross.

    Obv: LE LAV DVX S M V (Leonardo Lauredan, Doge. St Mark of Venice.) Doge kneeling before Saint Mark.

    1501-1521 Leonardo Lauredan, Doge

    Rev: LAVS TIBI SOLI (Thee Alone be Praised). Haloed figure of Christ holding a cross.

    Obv: LE LAV DVX S M V (Leonardo Lauredan, Doge. St Mark of Venice.) Doge kneeling before Saint Mark.

    Agostino Barbarigo LXXXIV Doge (1486-1501)


    Soldino o Marchetto (AR) Biaggi 2938


    D/ AV.BAR.S.M.V.DUX / S.Marco a s., il Doge a d.


    R/LAVS TIBI SOLI / il Redentore

    1501-1521 Leonardo Lauredan, Doge

    Rev: LAVS TIBI SOLI (Thee Alone be Praised). Haloed figure of Christ holding a cross.

    Obv: LE LAV DVX S M V (Leonardo Lauredan, Doge. St Mark of Venice.) Doge kneeling before Saint Mark.

    0.27g, 12.02mm

    1501-1521 Leonardo Lauredan, Doge

    Rev: LAVS TIBI SOLI (Thee Alone be Praised). Haloed figure of Christ holding a cross.

    Obv: LE LAV DVX S M V (Leonardo Lauredan, Doge. St Mark of Venice.) Doge kneeling before Saint Mark.

    Agostino Barbarigo LXXXIV Doge (1486-1501)


    Soldino o Marchetto (AR) Biaggi 2938


    D/ AV.BAR.S.M.V.DUX / S.Marco a s., il Doge a d.


    R/LAVS TIBI SOLI / il Redentore

    1501-1521 Venetian soldino Leonardo Lauredan, Doge

    Rev: LAVS TIBI SOLI (Thee Alone be Praised). Haloed figure of Christ holding a cross.

    Obv: LE LAV DVX S M V (Leonardo Lauredan, Doge. St Mark of Venice.) Doge kneeling before Saint Mark.

    1501-1521 Leonardo Lauredan, Doge

    Rev: LAVS TIBI SOLI (Thee Alone be Praised). Haloed figure of Christ holding a cross.

    Obv: LE LAV DVX S M V (Leonardo Lauredan, Doge. St Mark of Venice.) Doge kneeling before Saint Mark.

    1501-1521 Leonardo Lauredan, Doge

    Rev: LAVS TIBI SOLI (Thee Alone be Praised). Haloed figure of Christ holding a cross.

    Obv: LE LAV DVX S M V (Leonardo Lauredan, Doge. St Mark of Venice.) Doge kneeling before Saint Mark.

    1501-1521 Leonardo Lauredan, Doge

    Rev: LAVS TIBI SOLI (Thee Alone be Praised). Haloed figure of Christ holding a cross.

    Obv: LE LAV DVX S M V (Leonardo Lauredan, Doge. St Mark of Venice.) Doge kneeling before Saint Mark.

     
    Taco'd 1501-1521 Venetian soldino