The Dredging of the Giudecca Canal

Sale: CNG 82, Lot: 1317. Estimate $750.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 16 September 2009.  Sold For $1600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ITALY, Venezia (Venice). Alvise III Sebastiano Mocenigo. 1722-1732. AR Osella (9.60 g, 11h). Piero Querini, magistrate. Dated 1726. St. Mark seated right, receiving banner from doge kneeling left / Warship under sail to left; behind, ship to left and right. CNI VIII 80; Papadopoli -; Paolucci -; Paolucci, Zecca 209; Werdnig 207. VF, toned. Rare.

According to Paolucci, this coin commemorates the dredging of the Giudecca Canal for the purpose of allowing the Venetian fleet to navigate into the Venetian Lagoon past the Giudecca, or Jewry, an island located immediately south of the city’s central islands.