Venice’s Last Breath: Expert Authentication Guide for Lodovico Manin’s 2 Scudi della Croce (1789-1797)

Counterfeit 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:

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:

1. The “Milanese Wolf” (2015-): Cast fakes with telltale surface bubbles at 62.7g
2. “St. Petersburg Specials” (pre-2000): Electrotype doubles betrayed by hairline seams
3. “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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