Soldino Coin: History of the Venetian Small Denomination

Illustrated Specimen Details: Soldino

Example Specimen: Soldino, 1610 (Kingdom of Candia)

Authority & Identification: This copper coin was minted for the Kingdom of Candia (modern Crete) during its period as a Venetian overseas colony. The design features the iconic Lion of Saint Mark holding the Gospel, a hallmark of Venetian iconography, surrounded by stars. The obverse includes the specific marking "T 4", indicating the monetary relationship where 1 soldino = 4 tornesi. This issue reflects the administration of the Stato da Màr, the Republic of Venice's maritime and overseas possessions.

1. ITALY (14th-17th centuries) — Republic of Venice (including colonial possessions such as the Kingdom of Candia): soldino = 1 out of 20 lira
2. SWITZERLAND (15th-16th centuries) — Lordship of Mesocco, Old Swiss Confederacy, Bishopric of Lausanne: soldino

SOLDINO (plural: soldini) as a coin name. The Soldino was a small silver coin of the Venetian Republic during the 14th-16th centuries, historically valued at 1 out of 4 grosso or 8 denaro. While early issues were silver, Venice later produced copper soldini for the Kingdom of Candia (Crete) in the 17th century. The name is a diminutive of the common and authoritative Roman gold coin, the solidus, reflecting the evolution of currency names in the region.

History and Characteristics of the Soldino

Origins and Evolution

The Soldino was introduced in Venice during the reign of Francesco Dandolo (1329-1339). It became one of the most successful Venetian silver coins, circulating extensively throughout Venetian territories and neighboring regions. Its introduction was crucial, as it bridged the gap between large silver trade coins, such as the Venetian grosso, and the smaller denominations required for daily market transactions.

Design and Physical Characteristics

The early soldini were crafted from silver, weighing approximately 1 gram, and featured an easily recognizable design: the Lion of Saint Mark with a nimbus, initially holding a banner and later holding the Gospel of Saint Mark. The obverse typically depicted a kneeling Doge holding a banner. Over the centuries, the weight of the soldino gradually decreased to approximately 0.4 grams, and the coin's composition evolved, eventually including copper issues such as the 1610 specimen from the Kingdom of Candia.

Circulation and Legacy

The soldino occupied a significant middle position in the Venetian monetary system, circulating alongside the tornesello, the soldo, and the ducat. Its popularity was so great that it led to numerous imitations by neighboring states, including various entities within modern Italy and Switzerland. By the 17th century, as seen in the Candia issue, the soldino had adapted to the colonial needs of the Republic, maintaining its role as a vital fractional denomination in the eastern Mediterranean trade zone.