ITALY. Venezia (Venice). Francesco Donato, 1545-1553. Zecchino (Gold, 20 mm, 3.46 g, 6 h), a contemporary Levantine imitation, uncertain mint. FRAN DONA - •S•M•VENET✱ Mark standing right, holding book of Gospels in his left hand and presenting banner inscribed DVX to doge Francesco Donato, kneeling to left and raising his head toward the saint. Rev. SIT•T•XPE•DAT•Q•TV REGIS•ISTE•DV• Christ, nimbate, standing facing in mandorla with sixteen stars, raising his right hand in benediction and holding book of Gospels in his left. Cf. Friedberg 1250 and Paolucci 1 (for protoype). The flan somewhat wavy and with a few scrapes at the edge, otherwise, very fine.