Osella (coin)
The Osella is a medal minted in Venice that was also valid as a coin.
It was minted in the Zecca of Venice from 1521 to 1797 , ie until the end of the Republic . Their value usually corresponded to four times the Venetian gold ducat.
Oselle of Doge Alvise IV. Mocenigo
1703
1704
1706
1708
history
In the Republic of Venice, the Doges had the privilege to hunt birds, especially ducks, in the lagoon. In return, they had to deliver a certain number of these birds, called Mazzaroni or Oselli in the Venetian dialect , to each member of the Maggior Consiglio and to other selected dignitaries every Christmas . Only female birds were allowed to be delivered. When there were problems in the course of the 14th century in fulfilling the deputate, the Grand Council obliged the Doge to compensate those who had left empty-handed with 12 silver grossos, which, however, met with little approval from the nobili, who feared a weakening of an ancestral right. It was not until the 16th century that the council decided to abolish the delivery of game. After Leonardo Loredan's death , the Doges were finally obliged to pay in cash instead of in kind. In a promessio of June 28, 1521, the modalities are specified: The coin should have the value of four times the ducat (weight between 13.8 and 14.1 grams; in one case an osella weighing 5 ducats was also minted) and granted to all holders of the privilege in December each year. The coin was both a commemorative medal and a means of payment. Their market value was entered in the banks' official exchange tables. In memory of the old legal title, the coin was supposed to be called Osella .
Individual evidence
literature
- Aldo Jesurum: Cronistoria delle Oselle di Venezia . IVAG, Trieste 1974 (reprint of the Venice 1912 edition).
- Cesare Gamberini di Scarfea: Prontuario prezziario delle monete, oselle e bolle di Venezia. Bologna 1969.