Discover my collection in 3D
Virtual Gallery
Country: Republic of Venice, Andrea Gritti, Doge (1523-1538)
Grade: F/VF (Holed)
Type: Standard circulation coin
Years: c. 1525-1526
Value: Mezza Lira or Marcello = 10 Soldi (1/2)
Metal: Silver
Weight: 2.9 g
Diameter: 26 mm
Thickness: 0.5 mm
Shape: Round
Orientation: Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized: yes
References: CNI 133, Paolucci 6.
Master: PL (Piero Loredan, 30 August 1525 - 28 September 1526)
Obverse:
St. Mark standing at left presenting staff with pennant and DVX vertically at top to doge kneeling at right. Mintmaster's initials "PL" at sides.
Lettering:
AND GRITI. S·M·VENET.
DVX (vertical along banner)
PL
Reverse:
Christ Pantocrator enthroned facing. Christogram (IC-XC) at sides.
Lettering:
·TIBI·SOLI· ·GLORIA·
IC XC
Traduction: ("Glory to you (referring to Jesus) alone!").
Historical:
Andrea Gritti (17 April 1455 – 28 December 1538) was the Doge of Venetian Republic from 1523 to 1538, following a distinguished diplomatic and military career.
The war and his long imprisonment put an end to Gritti's commercial career, costing him the enormous sum of 24,000 ducats. With little hope of recompense for his losses, he was forced in 1517 to ask the Senate's permission to accept a gift from the King of France as partial restitution of his losses. Rather than retiring, however, he now embarked on an active political career.
In the early sixteenth century, Venice lost nearly all its territory on the Italian mainland during the War of the League of Cambrai, and Gritti played an important part in the events connected with this loss and the eventual return to the status quo ante. In 1509, after the Venetian defeat at the Battle of Agnadello, Gritti was appointed as proveditor to the Venetian army in Treviso; ordered by the Council of Ten to support revolts against the invaders, he successfully engineered the return of Padua to Venetian hands, and its subsequent defence against the Emperor.[citation needed] In 1510, following the death of Niccolò di Pitigliano, Gritti took command of Venice's army, but was forced to withdraw to Venice by French advances. He continued as proveditor through end of the conflict. In 1512, he led the negotiations with Francis I of France that resulted in Venice leaving the League and allying with France.
Dogeship
Elected Doge in 1523, Gritti concluded a treaty with Charles V, ending Venice's active involvement in the Italian Wars. He attempted to maintain the neutrality of the Republic in the face of the continued struggle between Charles and Francis, urging both to turn their attention to the advances of the Ottoman Empire in Hungary. However, he could not prevent Suleiman I from attacking Corfu in 1537, drawing Venice into a new war with the Ottomans. His dogaressa was Benedetta Vendramin.
Gritti died on 28 December 1538.
Reference : CNI 133, Paolucci 6.
Collection : Italian States - Pre Risorgimento (1250-1861) & Kingdom of Italy (1861-1946) Republic (1946-date)