Written by Antonio Alejandro Piccolo
Among the 1.447 lots featured in our upcoming Auction 10, there are four osella pieces from Venice—two in silver and two in gold—that commemorate four events of the Serenissima and intertwine with the history of a patrician family that played a prominent role in the affairs of the Republic: the Mocenigo family.
The origin of the name “osella”
As a coin, the first osella was issued in 1521 by Doge Antonio Grimani. It held the same value as the traditional gift of waterfowl—hence the name—that the Doge annually offered to the patricians and the highest officials of the Venetian state.
Over time, the oselle began to commemorate major events in Venice’s history, becoming a sort of metallic chronicle of the Republic.
The osella pieces in Auction 10
On October 8, 1571, an event—mythologized above all for its ideological implications—saw Venice as one of the key powers involved: the memorable victory of the Christian fleet over the Turkish fleet at the Battle of Lepanto.
The Venetian contingent of the fleet played an absolutely crucial role in securing the triumph, and from that moment, the Serenissima rightfully regarded it as a source of great pride.
The first osella featured in our current catalogue dates precisely to the year 1571, during the dogeship of Alvise I Mocenigo (1570–1577), and depicts on the obverse the image of the Doge kneeling as he receives the banner from Saint Mark.
Auction 10, Lot 544, VENEZIA Alvise I Mocenigo (1570-1577) Osella 1571 anno II – Mont. 692 AG (g 9,49) RRRR
The Doge’s commemorative coin was traditionally distributed during the Christmas season, and thus, with fitting timing, the reverse of the piece promptly celebrates—just over two months after the battle—the full significance of the victory through an epigraphic Latin legend, which translates as:
“1571. Year of the great naval victory, [achieved] by the grace of God, against the Turks.”
Two roses—one above and one below the inscription—form, in their austere simplicity, the complete coat of arms of the dogal family. In this way, the house further enhanced its already solid prestige by linking its name to the event commemorated in the legend.
Exactly 130 years after this issue, we find in lot 549 the osella of the year 1701, issued by a Doge of the same family and namesake, Alvise II Mocenigo (1700–1709). This specimen is struck in gold, with a weight equivalent to four zecchini.
Auction 10, Lot 549, VENEZIA Alvise II Mocenigo (1700-1709) Osella da 4 Zecchini An. II (1701) – Pao. 352 AU (g 13,77) RRR
The obverse features the traditional, unchanging design; on the reverse, we find a powerful lion which, according to the inscription, “sleeps with open eyes.”
Drawing inspiration from the military events that took place in Italy that same year, the lion conveys—through allegory—Venice’s declared neutrality during the War of the Spanish Succession.
Just as in the 15th century, the Mocenigo family experienced another “century of doges” in the 1700s. Indeed, three members of the family would go on to hold the highest office of the Republic during the 18th century.
In lot 552, we find another prestigious gold multiple worth four zecchini, issued in 1722 by Alvise III Sebastiano Mocenigo (1722–1732), in his first year as Doge.
Auction 10, Lot 552, VENEZIA Alvise III Mocenigo (1722-1732) Osella da 4 Zecchini Ann. I 1722 – Mont. 2458 AU (g 13,85) RRRRR
The reverse of the coin features a carefully composed arrangement of imagery and legend, serving both as a programmatic manifesto of the new Doge and as a celebration of his family—hence the title of our post, “Prestige of Casada.“
Quoting verses from the Song of Songs, the Republic asks to be nourished with flowers of wisdom. And who better than the Mocenigo family to provide them? Indeed, the personification of Venice is shown holding a rose bush in her right hand, with precisely two blossoms at its top—just enough to once again symbolize the coat of arms of this renowned family, as previously seen on the reverse of the osella in lot 544.
The Mocenigo family would go on to produce yet another Doge, Alvise IV Mocenigo (1763–1778). However, our post concludes with an osella issued in 1782 by Paolo Renier (1779–1789).
Auction 10, Lot 558, VENEZIA Paolo Renier (1779-1789) Osella 1782 anno IV – Mont. 3251 AG (g 9,41) R
The papal tiara with the crossed keys, as stated by the concise legend, commemorates for posterity the passage of Pope Pius VI through Venice on his return journey from Vienna. The Senate and the Doge—symbolized by the corno ducale—along with the city itself, welcomed him with solemn and honorable ceremony.
Thus, a state once feared as a formidable warrior entrusted its legacy to history through a century of courtly festivities and lavish receptions.
See also: