Venice

The Most Serene Republic of Venice maintained its independence for over a millennium (697–1797 AD), and its coinage reflects this extraordinary longevity and commercial power.

The Venetian grosso — showing the Doge kneeling before St. Mark — is the core collectible at $50–$100 for common 14th–15th century types. The tornesello, a billon colonial coin for Venetian Crete and Greece, is a delightful historical piece at $25–$50. Soldini cost $30–$75.

The gold ducat/zecchino — 3.5g of 99.47% fine gold — is effectively impossible under $300 at current gold prices, but the silver and billon denominations offer an affordable window into the commercial empire that dominated Mediterranean trade for centuries.