Venetian lira
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The lira (plural lire) was the distinct currency of Venice until 1807. It was subdivided into 20 soldi, each of 12 denari. The ducato was equal to 124 soldi, whilst the tallero (also known as the zecchino) was equal to 7 lire. The lira of Napoleon's Kingdom of Italy replaced the Venetian lira in 1807.
[edit] Coins
In the late 18th century a large number of different denominations of coins circulated. Billon coins were struck for 6 and 12 denari. Silver denominations included 5, 10, 15 and 30 soldi, ⅛, ¼, ½ and 1 ducato, and ⅛, ¼, ½ and 1 tallero. Gold coins included ¼, ½ and 1 ducato, 1 doppia, and 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 18, 20, 24, 25, 30, 40, 50, 55, 60, 100 and 105 zecchini.
The provisional government issued silver 10 lire coins in 1797. These were followed during the Austrian occupation by silver ½, 1, 1½ and 2 lire, and gold 1 zechinno, issued between 1800 and 1802.
[edit] References
- Krause, Chester L. and Clifford Mishler (1978). Standard Catalog of World Coins: 1979 Edition, Colin R. Bruce II (senior editor), 5th ed., Krause Publications. ISBN 0-87341-020-3.
[edit] External links
- The Global History of Currencies - Italy
- Global Financial Data currency histories table (
Microsoft Excel format)
