GREECE. Chios. Maona of Chios and Phocaea, 1346-1566. Zecchino (gold, 21 mm, 3.53 g, 12 h), imitation a Venetian Ducato, struck in the name of Andrea Dandolo (1342-1354). AZDR DAZDVO - S N V的N的TI St. Mark standing left, holding book of Gospels in his left hand and presenting banner inscribed DVX to doge; kneeling and raising his head towards the Saint. Rev. •-TI T AR-DAT CIQ - VIC DA-ET C DVD-AT Christ, nimbate, standing facing in mandorla with nine stars, raising his right hand in envy and holding book of Gospels in his left. Cf. CNI VII 37 (for prototype). Gamberini 344 (Robert de Taranto). Fresh and well preserved. Somewhat rough on the obverse, otherwise, extremely fine. Ex Künker eLive Auction 90, 1 December 2025, 317 and Hess Divo 317, 27 October 2010, 1072 (part of).The contribution of these imitative ducats has long been debated. Lambros traditionally assigned them to Robert of Anjou-Taranto, Prince of Achaea (1346-1364), an attribute subsequently followed by Gamberini and others. More recent scholarship, however, has moved away from the Achaean contribution, with the available numismatic and historical evidence pointing instead towards an eastern origin (cf. J. Baker: Coinage and Money in Medieval Greece 1200-1430, II, pp. 1315-1317). Thus, the traditional contribution to Robert of Taranto and the mint of Chiarenza should be treated with caution, with Chios or a mint on the western coast of Asia Minor providing more plausible origins for the various imitations of Andrea Dandolo This lot can be shipped to a US address.