Sale: Nomos 3 & 4, Lot: 263. Estimate CHF3000.  Closing Date: Monday, 9 May 2011.  Sold For CHF2600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Knights of Malta, Malta. Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan. 1775-1797. Tari (Copper, 26mm, 7.54 g 3), undated. F.EMMANUEL DE ROHAN.M Crowned quartered arms of Rohan and of the Order on the breast of a headless eagle. Rev. + CONCUTIATIS NEMINEM Head of John the Baptist on a salver from left to right. Azzopardi M.H. 918 (photograph, the text describes another coin). KM 333. Schembri 2. An astonishing piece, fresh and nearly proof-like. Center of the obverse softly struck, otherwise, uncirculated.

From a Swiss private collection, ex Heritage 3005, 29 May 2009, 21934 (but with the head on the obverse described as being that of the Grand Master!!)
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The copper coinage of the Knights was really meant to be used. Of course, much of the silver was too, which is why so many surviving pieces are quite worn; however in comparison with the coppers the silver is really very nice. As a rule, the copper coins usually come down to us in fairly terrible condition: worn, corroded, and generally unpleasant. This piece is a great exception; while the coin itself is quite common, in this condition it is astounding, and we have to assume that it formed part of a special issue that was used as presentation pieces or souvenirs that were given out by the Grand Master on some special occasion.