Written by Greta Gazzaniga
A journey into the most symbolic coinage of the Serenissima
During the Christmas season, as the theme of gift-giving takes center stage, it is only natural to turn our gaze toward one of the most fascinating expressions of Venetian coinage: the oselle. These coins are highly sought after by collectors, not only for their beauty and rarity but, above all, for the profound historical and symbolic value they hold.
The oselle originated as a replacement for an ancient custom: every year, just before Christmas, the Doge would present the members of the Great Council with a tribute of game, specifically red-legged wild ducks. Beginning with the dogate of Antonio Grimani (1521–1523), this gift was transformed into a silver coin of equivalent value. The name ‘osella’ itself derives from the Venetian dialect, in which oselo meant ‘bird’.
The origin of the Oselle
Originally, the oselle were minted exclusively in silver and were subject to very precise iconographic rules. The obverse depicted the Doge kneeling before Saint Mark as he received the banner of the Republic; on the reverse, an inscription displayed the Doge’s name, the formula PRINC VENE MUNUS, and the year of his dogate.
This layout, however, soon gave way to greater expressive freedom. The oselle began to celebrate the political, military, and diplomatic events of the year of issue, transforming into authentic historical documents—sometimes through direct representation, and at other times through the language of allegory.
The Oselle: Highlights of our Christmas Auction
A particularly poignant example is the osella of Domenico II Contarini (lot 517), which reflects one of the most painful moments in Venetian history.
Christmas Auction, Lot 517, VENEZIA Domenico Contarini (1659-1675) Osella in oro da 4 Zecchini 1669 An. XI
In 1669, the eleventh year of his dogate, the long war against the Ottoman Empire for control over the island of Candia (modern-day Crete) came to an end, resulting in the final loss of the territory by the Serenissima. The reverse of this osella, so heavy with meaning, was reprised in subsequent silver and gold issues of his reign—a sign of a deep and unhealed historical wound.
With the rise of Nicolò Sagredo, the first silver osella of the new Doge (lot 518) seems instead to look toward the future. The inscription AEQUA TEMPERAT ARTE — “To govern with just balance” — accompanies the depiction of the constellation Libra, symbolizing the will to restore order and stability following the loss of Candia.
Asta di Natale, Lotto 518, VENEZIA Nicolò Sagredo (1675-1676) Osella An. I (1675)
The military campaigns against the Ottoman Empire continued with the Morean War. A decisive episode was the Venetian conquest of the port and fortress of Koroni in 1685. This event is celebrated with great expressive power in the silver osella of Marc’Antonio Giustinian (lot 519), where the Lion of Saint Mark, with its sword unsheathed, menacingly watches the Turkish soldiers fleeing from the newly conquered stronghold.
Christmas Auction, Lot 519, VENEZIA Marc’Antonio Giustinian (1684-1688) Osella An. II (1685)
Venice and the Papacy
The Republic’s relations with the Holy See also find their place in Venetian coinage. Indeed in the silver osella of Francesco Loredan from 1759 (lot 523), the reverse depicts roses in a vase—a clear reference to the Golden Rose, a symbol of papal benevolence, gifted by Clement XIII to Venice, his native city.
Christmas Auction, Lot 523, VENEZIA Francesco Loredan (1752-1762) Osella 1759 An. VIII
Finally, ideally concluding this journey, a series of gold and silver oselle (lots 527, 529, and 530) commemorates the visit of Pope Pius VI to Venice during his return journey from meeting Emperor Joseph II in Vienna. The coins depict the papal tiara with the keys and the Doge’s corno ducale (ducal horn) placed on pedestals at the same level: a powerful image expressing balance and mutual respect between spiritual authority and temporal power.
Christmas Auction, Lot 527, VENEZIA Paolo Renier (1779-1789) Osella in oro da 4 Zecchini 1782 An. IV
Christmas Auction, Lot 529, VENEZIA Paolo Renier (1779-1789) Osella 1782 An. IV
Christmas Auction, Lot 530, VENEZIA Paolo Renier (1779-1789) Osella 1782 An. IV
To sum up Venetian oselle are not merely coins, but true stories etched in metal: testimonies of war, diplomacy, faith, and politics, capable of echoing the voice of the Serenissima centuries later. They represent a Christmas gift from a bygone era that continues to fascinate collectors and scholars today.
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