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The ''scudo'' (pl. ''scudi'') was the name for a number of coins used in various states in the Italian peninsula until the 19th century. The name, like that of the French écu and the Spanish and Portuguese escudo, was derived from the Latin ''scutum'' ("
The Duchy of Modena and Reggio also issued scudi, worth four lire or one third of a ''tallero''.
In Malta under the Order of St John, the Maltese scudo circulated from the 16th century until the Order was expelled in 1798. The currency remained the official currency of Malta until 1825 and the last coins were removed from circulation in 1886. The Sovereign Military Order of Malta has issued coins denominated in scudi since 1961.
The ''scudo'' (pl. ''scudi'') was the name for a number of coins used in various states in the Italian peninsula until the 19th century. The name, like that of the French écu and the Spanish and Portuguese escudo, was derived from the Latin ''scutum'' ("shield
A shield is a piece of personal armour held in the hand, which may or may not be strapped to the wrist or forearm. Shields are used to intercept specific attacks, whether from close-ranged weaponry or projectiles such as arrows, by means of a ...
"). From the 16th century,Klütz: ''Münznamen...'' the name was used in Italy for large silver coins. Sizes varied depending on the issuing country.
The first ''scudo d'argento'' (silver shield) was issued in 1551 by Charles V (1519–1556) in Milan.
Under Maria Theresa
Maria Theresa Walburga Amalia Christina (german: Maria Theresia; 13 May 1717 – 29 November 1780) was ruler of the Habsburg dominions from 1740 until her death in 1780, and the only woman to hold the position ''suo jure'' (in her own right). ...
and Joseph II the ''scudo d'argento'' had a weight of 23.10 g and a fineness of 896/1000.
In the Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia (under the control of the Habsburg
The House of Habsburg (), alternatively spelled Hapsburg in Englishgerman: Haus Habsburg, ; es, Casa de Habsburgo; hu, Habsburg család, it, Casa di Asburgo, nl, Huis van Habsburg, pl, dom Habsburgów, pt, Casa de Habsburgo, la, Domus Hab ...
Austrian Empire), the Lombardy–Venetia scudo was equivalent to the Conventionsthaler and was subdivided into six '' lire''.
Before the Napoleonic Wars, the lira was subdivided into 20 ''soldi'', each of 12 ''denari''. Later, the lira was made up of 100 ''centesimi''.
When Austria-Hungary decimalized in 1857, the scudo was replaced by the ''florin
The Florentine florin was a gold coin struck from 1252 to 1533 with no significant change in its design or metal content standard during that time. It had 54 grains (3.499 grams, 0.113 troy ounce) of nominally pure or 'fine' gold with a purcha ...
'' at a rate of 2 florin = 1 scudo. Coins of and 1 soldo were issued, equal to and 1 kreuzer respectively, for use in Lombardy and Venetia.
In the Papal States, the Papal States scudo was the currency until 1866. It was divided into 100 ''baiocchi'' (sing. ''baiocco''), each of 5 ''quattrini''. It was replaced by the lira
Lira is the name of several currency units. It is the current currency of Turkey and also the local name of the currencies of Lebanon and of Syria. It is also the name of several former currencies, including those of Italy, Malta and Israe ...
, equal to the Italian lira.
The Duchy of Modena and Reggio also issued scudi, worth four lire or one third of a ''tallero''.
In Malta under the Order of St John, the Maltese scudo circulated from the 16th century until the Order was expelled in 1798. The currency remained the official currency of Malta until 1825 and the last coins were removed from circulation in 1886. The Sovereign Military Order of Malta has issued coins denominated in scudi since 1961.
References
Further reading
* Konrad Klütz. ''Münznamen und ihre Herkunft''. Vienna, moneytrend Verlag, 2004. * Eupremio Montenegro. ''Manuale del collezionista di monete italiane''. XI ed. 1996, Torino. {{DEFAULTSORT:Italian Scudo Coins of Italy Escudo