(sold for $9.0)

1567, Venice, Girolamo Priuli. Billon Carzia Coin. Struck for use in Cyprus!

Denomination: Carzia
Mint Period: 1559-1567 AD
Doge: Girolamo Priuli (83rd Doge)
Reference: CNI VII 164, Papadopoli 93, Paolucci 17. R!
Material: Billon (low grade silver)
Diameter: 14mm
Weight: 0.39gm

Obverse: Lion rampant left.
Legend: + • S • MARCVS • VENETVS

Reverse: Cross pattée with lozenges in quarters.
Legend: + • HIERON . PRIOLI DVX •

The Republic of Venice seized control of the island in 1489 after the abdication of Queen Caterina Cornaro, the widow of James II, the last Lusignan king of Cyprus. Using it as an important commercial hub, Venetians soon fortified Nicosia, the capital and most important city, with its famous Venetian Walls. Throughout Venetian rule, the Ottoman Empire frequently raided Cyprus. In 1539 the Ottomans destroyed Limassol. Fearing the worst, the Venetians fortified Famagusta, Nicosia, and Kyrenia.

In 1570, a full scale conquest under Piyale Pasha with 60,000 troops brought the island under Ottoman control, despite stiff resistance by the inhabitants of Nicosia and Famagusta. 20,000 Nicosians were put to death, and every church, public building, and palace was looted.

Girolamo Priuli (Venice, 1486 – Venice, 4 November 1567) was a Venetian noble, who served as the eighty-third Doge of Venice, from 1 September 1559 until his sudden death from a stroke. He was the elder brother of the preceding doge, Lorenzo Priuli. Girolamo's face is familiar from Tintoretto's portrait.

Girolamo was the son of Alvise Peruli and his wife Chiara Lion. As a man of culture he seemed insignificant in relation to his brother; ineloquent, he was at first scarcely popular but gained respect through the works embellishing the city that he achieved as doge, in a period, above all, of peace for the Repubblica Serenissima. His early career established him as an able merchant, though not among the most prominent. He served as procuratore di San Marco.