Gold Index Page

Contents
Main Page
Countries Index
Krugerrands
Krugerrand Information
Krugerrands For Sale
Sovereigns
Sovereign Information Sovereigns For Sale
Year 2000 Sovereigns
Gold Bars
Bars Information
Bars For Sale
Half Sovereigns
Half Sovereign Information
Half Sovereigns For Sale
Year 2000 Half Sovereigns
Buying
We Buy Gold Coins
About Us
About Us
Our Selling Terms
Order Form UK
Order Form USA

Zecchini

Brief History
Zecchini is the plural of zecchino, originally a gold coin issued by the Zecca (mint) of Venice in 1284, and later issued by numerous other Italian and other states.
From our limited knowledge of Italian, it appears to be a diminutive of the word zecca, meaning a "little-die", "little-mint", or possibly "small product from the mint".
It is possible that it was not publicly called a zecchino until about 1554 in the reign of Doge Francesco Venier.
The word zecca is derive from an Arabic word (sikka) for die.
When originally issued, it had the same weight and specification as the fiorino issued by Florence. The word ducat is also used synonymously, although it was originally issued as a silver coin at Venice in 1202.
Its original value was 7 lire (from Roman Libra) and 12 soldi (plural of soldo, and derived from the Roman solidus). As there were 20 soldi to the lira, the value translates to 7.60 lire expressed in decimals.
Three zecchini equated to 1 ruspone.
The English word sequin is derived from zecchino, now meaning a small thin disc of meta, or of metallic appearance, sewn onto dresses. This probably comes from the custom in some countries of pinning money to wedding dresses.

Zecchini from Other States and Countries

  • Tuscany
  • Sardinia
  • Lombardy, under Maria Theresa of Austria
  • Knights of the Order of St. John of Malta (Cavalieri Ospitalieri)
  • Turkey under the Ottoman Empire
  • Genoa (Genova)
  • Maccagno
  • Bologna as a Papal City State
  • Piombino
  • Porcia
  • San Georgio (San Giorgio)
  • Vasto

Technical Specifications
DenominationDescriptionDiameterWeightFinenessGold Content
Zecchino1284 - 21.353.4940.9990.1122

Notes
The exact weight, fineness, and therefore intrinsic gold content may ahve varied with time, and between different states. The figures shown are typical.

Description

Postage & Packing
UK Registered Post (Special Delivery) £9 per order
EU Insured Post £10 per order
USA Airmail $10 per order
USA Insured Shipping $20 per order

Obverse of 1783 Papal States Gold Zecchino
Obverse of 1783 Papal States Gold Zecchino

Italy

Italian States

Countries Index

Reverse of 1783 Papal States Gold Zecchino
Reverse of 1783 Papal States Gold Zecchino

 


"Tax Free Gold" website is owned and operated by Chard (1964) Limited
32 - 36 Harrowside, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY4 1RJ, England. Telephone (44) - (0) 1253 - 343081; Fax 408058;
E-mail: Contact Us  The URL for our main page is: taxfreegold.co.uk

EV SSL Certificate