Thaler struck in 1795 during the reign of Ludovico Manin, the last Doge of the legendary Republic of Venice, which had existed uninterrupted for more than a thousand years. By this time, Venice was already in a deep political and economic decline, which ultimately ended in 1797, when Napoleon’s troops brought about the fall of the republic.
Some surface hairliness but still an attractive piece.
Obverse: bust of the Doge facing right
REPUBLICA VENETA
Reverse: the Lion of Saint Mark with the Gospel book, halo above its head, the traditional symbol of the Republic of Venice
LUDOVICO MANIN DUCE
Diameter 40 mm, weight 28.18 g
