Venice

Francesco Morosini, Doge of Venice 1688-1694

Fr-1347, PCGS-graded MS-63

Obverse depicts St. Mark standing right presenting banner to kneeling Doge. On the reverse Christ standing facing within stars, holding the gospel and raising hand in benediction. A superb example of this very rare ducat.

Francesco Morosini will forever be known as the commander whose artillery shell severely damaged the Parthenon in Athens. Fighting the Turks, who had taken control of Athens, he scored a direct hit on one of the greatest edifices in history. The Parthenon was being used as a powder magazine by the Ottomans. Informed of the damage his shell caused, he responded, “it was a fortunate shot”.