Obverse
Crowned arms dividing sun to left and moon to right.
Script: Latin
Lettering: F·IO:PAVLVS·LASCARIS·CASTELLAR·M·M·H·H·
Translation: Frà Giovanni Paolo Lascaris of Castellar, Grand Master of the Hospitallers of Jerusalem
Reverse
Within circle, clasped hands, value below and date above.
Countermarks randomly placed.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
·NON AES SED FIDES·
1637
T . 4
Translation: Not money but trust
Countermarks include later types:
Crowned crescent within an irregular impression (approximate 6 mm x 10 mm).
Countermark of Emmanuel Pinto (1741-1773).
Countermark authorized by decree of 1741, January 31st.
MA monogram within an irregular impression (approximate 6.5 mm x 7 mm).
Countermark Emmanuel Pinto (1741-1773).
Countermark authorized by decree 1766, May 30th.
1) Double-headed eagle within a circular impression (approximate diameter of 6-7 mm).
Countermark of Jean Paul Lascaris Castellar (1636-1657).
Countermark authorized by decrees of 1646, May 17th and 1646, May 28th.
2) Double-headed eagle within a shield impression (5 mm x 6.5 mm).
Countermark of Jean Paul Lascaris Castellar (1636-1657).
Countermark authorized by decrees of 1646, May 17th and 1646, May 28th.
3) Head of St. John the Baptist within an oval impression (approximate 4.5 mm x 7 mm).
Countermark of Raphael Cotoner (1660-1663).
Countermark authorized by decree of 1662, April 19th.
4) Crowned fleur-de-lys within an irregular impression (approximate 4.5 mm x 7.5 mm).
Countermark of Adrien Wignacourt (1690-1697).
Countermark authorized by decree of 1696, August 27th.
5) Crowned star within an irregular impression (approximate 10 mm x 7 mm).
Countermark of Raymond Despuig (1736-1741).
Countermark authorized decree of 1740, December 13th.
6) Crowned crescent within an irregular impression (approximate 6 mm x 10 mm).
Countermark of Emmanuel Pinto (1741-1773).
Countermark authorized by decree of 1741, January 31st.
7) MA monogram within an irregular impression (approximate 6.5 mm x 7 mm).
Countermark Emmanuel Pinto (1741-1773).
Countermark authorized by decree 1766, May 30th.
8) Crowned diamond within an irregular impression (approximate 5 mm x 7 mm).
Countermark of Emmanuel de Rohan (1775-1797).
Countermark authorized by decrees of 1777, June 19th and 1778, January 10th.
9) Paschal lamb with banner of the Order within an octangular impression (approximate 6 mm x 6.75 mm).
Countermark of Emmanuel de Rohan (1775-1797).
Countermark authorized by decrees of 1792, July 17th and 1792, October 29th.
It appears that countermarks #1 and #2 are merely distinctive varieties of the countermarking authorized in 1646. Also, the countermark #2 seems to be the more uncommon of the two varieties. Countermark #2 only appears on coins issued before Lascaris, for example of De La Valette or Verdala. Countermark #1 is only used for Lascaris coins.
The countermark #5 is reported to be the most uncommon of all the countermarks. This is attributed to the death of Despuig within months of the authorization of his reign’s countermarking.
Schembri Pridmore and other early sources erroneously attributed the countermark #9 to the reign of Grand Master Raymond Perellos (1697-1720). Sammut’s work has definitively attributed this countermark to Rohan’s reign.
Related products
