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Republic of Venice, Andrea Dandolo, Ducat

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Republic of Venice, Andrea Dandolo, Ducat  (obverse) Republic of Venice, Andrea Dandolo, Ducat  (reverse)

The doge of Venice, Mark the Evangelist and Jesus Christ together on one coin: a better security for value and constancy of this ducat is hardly thinkable. The reverse shows the doge Andrea Dandolo (1343-1354) kneeling before the city saint Mark for investiture. During this act the doges had to confirm by oath to "leave our money, big and small, as it is." The image of Christ on the obverse points toward his presence at the act – the doge takes his oath with Jesus himself. "Sit tibi Christe datus, quem tu regis, iste ducatus" reads the inscription: May this ducat be devoted to you, O Christ, thou who rules."

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Signet Sunflower Foundation