Lucca Tallero

The Lucca Tallero was often struck on planchets recycled from melted Spanish reales, a practical nod to the era's coinage recycling habits that kept Lucca's mint humming.

This silver issue from the Republic of Lucca, spanning over two centuries, featured designs like the city's coat of arms or Saint Martin, reflecting local pride without much flair. Variations in weight and purity occurred, as you'd expect from a small state juggling alliances and wars. Mintage figures for most years remain murky, lost to time or poor record-keeping.

If you're hunting for one, check the edges for file marks from those repurposed blanks—it's a telltale sign of frugality over artistry. As for myths about hidden treasures, I've heard enough; most were just well-worn currency in their day.