600 Scudi

The Monte di Pietà in Rome was among the oldest pawnbroking institutions in Europe, established in the fifteenth century under papal patronage to provide credit to the poor at low interest — a deliberate counter to usurious private lending. By the late eighteenth century it had evolved into something closer to a deposit bank, issuing fedi di credito (faith credits) like this one as transferable instruments rather than conventional circulating notes. The 600 Scudi denomination is unusually large, intended entirely for mercantile and institutional transactions.

These fedi di credito were handwritten or partially printed documents, validated by official signatures and seals, and transferred by endorsement on the reverse — more bond than banknote in practical terms. Survival in any condition is uncommon; most were redeemed and cancelled rather than retained.