8 Zecchini - Lodovico Manin

Lodovico Manin, the last Doge of Venice, presided over the Republic's final dissolution in May 1797 when Napoleon's ultimatum left the Great Council no viable alternative to capitulation. Manin reportedly wept and removed his ducal bonnet himself, handing it to his servant with the remark that he would not be needing it again. The 8 Zecchini was the largest gold multiple struck under the dying Republic, and examples dated to the final years of issue were produced knowing the institution behind them was crumbling.

The zecchino itself had been Venice's prestige trade coin for over five centuries before Manin's reign ended the series entirely.