zecchinonoun
Meaning & use
Now historical or archaic.
- 1572–A gold coin of a type minted by the Republic of Venice from the 13th cent., and until the 19th cent. widely used in trade and commerce throughout Europe, the eastern Mediterranean, and further afield; any of various similar coins minted elsewhere, esp. those produced to the same standards as the Venetian coin for the purpose of facilitating international trade; a ducat. Also occasionally more generally: †a coin; a piece of money (obsolete). Cf . chequin n., ducat n., sequin n. 1.α forms
- 1572
I..gaue my selfe slaue to one Sangaccho del Bir, promising hym 500. Zechins [Italian cechini] for my raunsome.
, translation of N. Martinengo, True Rep. Famagosta f. 13v - 1575
Zechines of glistering golde, two thousand was his price.
, Hundred Flowers in Works (1907) vol. I. 77 - 1613
Euery Zequi being sixteene ryalls, and with vs eight pence.
, Pilgrimage vii. iv. 564 - 1617
In Turkey the gold zechines of Venice are most currant.
, Itinerary i. 276 - a1701
For which they pay the Turks a Rent of one Zequin a day.
, Journey Aleppo to Jerusalem (1703) 100 - 1727
I presented the Officer..with five Zequeens.
, New Account of East Indies vol. I. 304 - 1766
Two scudi make a zequine; and a French loui'dore is worth about two zequines.
, Travels France & Italy vol. II. xxx. 107 - 1819
They would swear the mother that bore them a sorceress for a zecchin.
, Ivanhoe vol. III. vi. 153 - 1841
The Italian zecchin, is worth about $2.30; and the Venetian pistole, $3.88... The Turkish piastre..is worth 37 cents; the zecchin, $1.35.
, Pantology xiv. vi. 483 - 1857
If you don't choose to submit to be cheated by them out of a ducat here and a zecchin there, you will be cheated by them out of your picture.
, Political Economy of Art ii. 124 - 1960
Mogadishu, it seems, may have imported Venetian zecchins.
Journal African History vol. 1 40 - 2004
Nerli asks for an estimate on Papi's work, recommending 100 zecchins for the difficulty of the operation that had to be carried out.
in S. Bracci, Exploring David 63/1
β forms- 1595
Cecchino, or Zecchino, a Venetian Duckate.
, translation of G. T. Minadoi, Hist. Warres Turkes & Persians sig. HHh2 (table) - 1599
Euery Sechino is of venetian money eight liuers and two soldes.
in R. Hakluyt, Principal Navigations (new edition) vol. II. i. 102 - 1617
The gold coyne of the Venetians is called Zecchino.
, Itinerary i. 88 - 1622
One of the Gentlemen of Venice,..was..wel gratified with a sufficient recompence of Zecchinos.
True Relation Affaires Europe 7 - 1758
A Zecchino, nine Livres thirteen Sols and a Half.
translation of J. G. Keyssler, Travels (new edition) vol. II. 59 - 1815
Each of them gave twenty sechini to King Theodore to buy shirts and clothes.
Daily National Intelligencer (Washington, D.C.) 25 September - 1860
On cleaning a gurnet, she found in its inside a Venetian zecchino, which she disposed of for 15s 2d.
Hampshire Advertiser 12 May 3/2 - 1956
The gold zecchino of the Venetian Republic.
Times 7 April 9/2 - 2004
Aunt Greysteel had rented a house in Padua... It was very convenient for everywhere and only eighty sechinis a quarter.
, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell (2005) lx. 867 - 2013
A statue the size of the Apollino..cost 400 zecchini in 1794.
Rijksmuseum Bulletin vol. 61 13/2