I always wanted a Venetian Ducat and now I have one: Venice Ducat Doge Pasquale Cicogna 1585-1595 Obverse: Left Saint Mark, standing and facing right with banner, right, the Doge kneeling S M VENET DVX PASC CICON ("Sacra Moneta Venetiae Dux Paschalis Ciconia" or "Sacred Money of Venice Duke Pasquale Cicogna") Reverse: Christ standing with Book of Gospels, surrounded by 19 stars and oval SIT T XPE DAT QTV REGIS ISTE DVCAT ("Sit tibi, Christe, datus, quem tu regis, iste ducatus" or "To Thee, O'Christ, is Dedicated, Which Thou Rulest, this Duchy") Catalog: Friedberg Gold Coins of the World number 1270 Specs: 20mm, 3.50gm Venetian gold ducats circulated all over Europe during the middle ages. They were also known as zecchinos and sequins. These coins were made of 99% gold but sometimes had small amounts of impurities. This coin has a corrosion spot due to exposed silver or copper on the surface. The Republic of Venice was the city of commerce during the middle ages, and was ruled by an elected Doge (Duke) and a council. Doge Pasquale became known for throwing out silver coins rather than gold coins during his coronation. Pasquale's major achievement as Doge was converting the city's Rialto Bridge from wood to stone. He died in 1595 and a year later an Englishman named William Shakespeare wrote a play "The Merchant of Venice" in which the duke was a minor character.
