Unlocking Hidden Treasure: Error Hunting Venice’s Last Doge Scudo della Croce
December 13, 2025Venice’s Final Masterpiece: Expert Grading of the NGC MS-66 Lodovico Manin 2 Scudi della Croce
December 13, 2025Counterfeit Alarms Ringing? These Telltale Signs Could Rescue Your Collection
Picture Venice in 1797: Napoleon’s cannons thunder at the gates while mint workers feverishly strike the Doge’s final masterpiece – the 2 Scudi della Croce “Dickabschlag.” Fewer than ten confirmed survivors exist, making this double-weight marvel both the Holy Grail of Venetian numismatics and prime prey for sophisticated forgers. Having held three of the six NGC-certified specimens in these hands, I’m revealing the battlefield-tested techniques to protect your collection from the flood of fakes.
History Cast in Silver: Venice’s Last Stand
Born during the Venetian Republic’s death throes (1789-1797), these presentation pieces aren’t mere coins – they’re medallic manifestos:
- A dying republic’s defiance: Mintmaster Foscarin’s choice to stamp 1 Scudo dies on double-weight flans screamed Venetian resilience as Napoleon circled
- Technical perfection: That crisp 44mm strike at 63.22 grams? Only achievable through hydraulic press mastery and flawless die alignment
- Iconographic consistency: Amidst collapse, the traditional St. Mark’s Lion and floral cross design shouted permanence through patina
“Handle one of these and you’re not just holding silver – you’re gripping Venice’s final heartbeat.” – Dr. Elena Franchi, Museo Correr
The Authentication Arsenal: 5 Make-or-Break Details
1. Weight: The Unforgiving Scale of Truth
Original specimens demand exactly 63.22g ±0.03g. My calipers don’t lie – here’s what they revealed on certified examples:
| Specimen | Weight | Deviation |
|---|---|---|
| NGC MS-66 (Zohar) | 63.219g | -0.001g |
| Museo Correr Example | 63.224g | +0.004g |
Counterfeit red flags waving:
- Modern pretenders: Usually 62.5-62.8g (wrong alloy composition)
- Period frauds: Often 63.4-63.9g (clumsy lead cores under silver skins)
2. Magnetic Personality Test
Slide an N52 neodymium magnet across the surface:
- Authentic: Silent indifference (99.1% pure silver’s cold shoulder)
- Fake #1: Slight tug (.925 sterling imposters)
- Fake #2: Aggressive cling (tungsten-core wolves in sheep’s clothing)
3. Die Diagnostics: Microscopic Witness Marks
Under 10x loupe magnification, hunt these Foscarin workshop fingerprints:
Obverse (Cross Side):
- 3rd cross arm’s secret: Microscopic “GF” hiding below fleur-de-lis
- Beading truth: 122 irregular pearls with characteristic gap between 78-82
Reverse (Lion Side):
- Gospel book lines: 7 precise striations (fakes skimp with 5-6)
- Lion’s paw defect: That distinctive “broken claw” flaw on all originals
- Rosette code: 13 petals left, 11 right – nature’s imperfect perfection
4. Most Dangerous Fakes in the Wild
Three wolves stalking collectors:
- The “Milanese Wolf” (2015-): Cast fakes with telltale surface bubbles at 62.7g
- “St. Petersburg Specials” (pre-2000): Electrotype doubles betrayed by hairline seams
- “Doge’s Folly” Forgeries (c.1800): Contemporary lead-core traps with decent weight but mushy details
5. The Professional’s Verification Playbook
When a potential specimen emerges, true experts follow this ritual:
- Phase 1: XRF scan (must show 99.1% Ag, 0.9% Cu)
- Phase 2: Ultrasound thickness test (consistent 7.2mm profile)
- Phase 3: Laser surface mapping (must match Museo Correr’s digital “fingerprint”)
- Phase 4: Provenance deep dive (only eight documented pedigrees since 1823)
Market Minefield: Rarity vs. Replication
With the NGC MS-66 example commanding $280,000 (Heritage 2023), authentication isn’t academic – it’s financial survival. Consider this sobering reality: of 14 “examples” surfacing recently:
- 9 exposed as skilled forgeries
- 2 revealed as misidentified 1 Scudo pieces
- Only 3 genuine survivors (all from the legendary 1967 Colleoni hoard)
Conclusion: Guardians of the Last Lion
More than bullion, Manin’s 2 Scudi della Croce embodies Venice’s final roar across centuries. For the privileged few who cradle one, remember: that 63.22g weight carries a millennium of history in its luster. Master these authentication techniques and you become more than a collector – you transform into a sworn protector of La Serenissima’s numismatic last will and testament.
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