Venezia. Paolo Renier, 1779-1789. 40 zecchini, AV 139.01 g. ø 51 mm. PAVL RAINER – S M VENET St. Mark nimbate, standing l., handing the banner to the kneeling Doge; along the shaft, D V X. Rev. SIT T XPE DAT Q TV – REGIS ISTE DVCA The Redeemer standing facing within an elliptical halo studded with stars. Paolucci 3. Friedberg 1434. Of the highest rarity. An impressive multiple struck on a very thick flan. An edge nick at eleven o’clock on obverse and several minor marks, otherwise, good very finePreviously encapsulated by PCGS as EF-45. Ex Stack’s Bowers 11 January 2018, 21136. From the Anne and Daniel Aghion family collection. Born in Venice in 1711 into an ancient patrician family, Paolo Renier was elected Doge on 14 January 1779. His dogeship took place during a period of the Serenissima’s progressive political decline, marked by economic difficulties and increasing pressure from the great European powers. During his government, however, Venice maintained its traditional commercial and diplomatic activities. Renier died on 13 February 1789 and was buried in the church of San Nicolò dei Tolentini. The principal functions of these multiples appear to have been: presentation and diplomatic gifts – enormous gold pieces made particularly impressive gifts to important persons; commemorative and or ceremonial purposes – they could mark a doge's accession, important state occasions or the prestige of the Republic; display of the Republic's wealth and the Doge's magnificence – very much part of the visual and ceremonial language of late Venetian government. Please find here the video of the coin