Sequin (coin)

The sequin (/ˈsiːkwɪn/ SEE-kwin) or zechin (Venetian: [(d)zeˈkiŋ]; Italian: zecchino [tsekˈkiːno, dzekˈkiːno]) was a gold coin minted by the Republic of Venice from 1284.

The design of the zecchino remained unchanged for over 500 years, from its introduction in 1284 to the takeover of Venice by Napoleon in 1797. The reverse bears a motto in Latin hexameter: Sit tibi, Christe, datus // quem tū regis, iste ducātus ("Christ, let this duchy that you rule be given to you").

The coin was originally referred to as a ducat (ducal coin), but there were also silver ducats, so in order to distinguish them the gold ducat was called the ducato de zecca, i.e. ducat of the mint, and this was then shortened to zecchino and corrupted to “sequin”.

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