Rights Holder: The Portable Antiquities Scheme
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Unique ID: LANCUM-F05608
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A silver Venetian soldino of Doge Michael Steno dating to the period AD1400-1413.
Obverse:[ +MICh[ ]EL ]STE[N DVX]; Doge standing left, holding banner, star above indeterminate symbol (mintmark) in right field
Reverse: +S•MAR[CVS•VENETI•]; Winged and nimbate Lion of St. Mark within circle, holding book of Gospels
The silver soldino of Venice was known as the galyhalpens (galley-halfpence) as it was brought by the annual Venetian trading fleets. The soldino was about the size of English halfpennies and was popular because of a contemporary lack of small change: soldini in fact occur as English finds more often than proper halfpennies of the period. During the 15th and 16th centuries the English economy experienced a serious shortage of English-struck halfpennies. In order to fill this gap people began using foreign coinage such as the soldino, meaning 'little shilling', which entered into English currency through Venetian traders.
NB: This is a rally find that was not seen by the FLO in person. Images and findspot information were kindly provided by the rally organiser.
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1400
Date to: Circa AD 1413
Quantity: 1
Length: 14 mm
Width: 13 mm
Weight: 0.3 g
Diameter: 14 mm
Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 20th April 2016
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Primary material: Silver
Manufacture method: Struck or hammered
Completeness: Fragment
Denomination: Soldino
Ruler/issuer: Michele Steno
Mint or issue place: Little Venice
Type: Venetian soldino of Michele Steno (type 5)
Obverse description: Doge standing left, holding banner, star above indeterminate symbol (mintmark) in right field
Obverse inscription: [MICHELE] STEN[O DVX]
Reverse description: Winged and nimbate Lion of St. Mark within circle, holding book of Gospels
Reverse inscription: S MARC[VS VENETI]
Degree of wear: Worn: fine
No coin references available.
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.