Sale: CNG 61, Lot: 2498. Estimate $500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 25 September 2002.  Sold For $300. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ITALY, Venice. Marco Barbarigo. 1486-1501. AV Zecchino (Ducat) (3.50 gm). S/M/V/E/N/E/T/I, AVG. BARBADICO, Doge kneeling before St. Mark, both supporting pendant / SIT.T.XPE DAT. Q TV.-REGIS. ISTE DVCAT, Christ in Glory; nine stars within closed mandorla. Papadopoli 7; Scarfea 226; Friedberg 1241. Good VF, nicely struck. Scarcer variety. ($500)

The innovation of the closed mandorla only became standard in 1501, during the rule of Leonardo Loredan, and appears only occasionally on the coinage of Marco and Agostino Barbarigo.