Soldino of Michele Steno (1400 - 1413)

Today we uncovered a Soldino Steno. The English economy during the 15th and 16th centuries started using the Venetian Soldino to fill the gap as the halfpenny was in short supply.

The Soldino, which means "little shilling" entered the English economy through trade with the Venetian merchants, this coin quickly became widespread currency across England.  

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Summary – Soldino of Michele Steno (1400–1413)

• Coin & Origin
  The soldino was a small silver coin of Venice, first issued in 1284 and struck under successive doges, including Michele Steno (1400–1413). It bore the winged lion of St. Mark on the obverse and the doge kneeling before the saint on the reverse, with legends naming San Marco and the doge.

• Metal & Specifications
  Silver, c. 0.6–0.7 g, around 16–18 mm. Its modest size and consistent fineness made it highly suitable for everyday transactions and international trade.

• Circulation in England
  The soldino reached England in large numbers in the early 15th century. Key reasons:

  1. Venetian wool trade: Venice imported large quantities of English wool for its textile industry. Venetian merchants brought soldini with them as payment and trade currency.

  2. Stable silver content: English traders accepted the coins because their silver quality was reliable, unlike some debased continental issues.

  3. Small denomination: England lacked sufficient small silver coinage (esp. after domestic shortages of halfpennies and farthings). The soldino filled this gap in daily commerce.

  4. Widespread Mediterranean acceptance: The soldino was already trusted across Europe; its use in England was a natural extension of existing trading networks.

• Impact in England
  Venetian soldini became so common that they were locally nicknamed “galley halfpence” (since they arrived on Venetian merchant galleys). By the early 1400s, they circulated widely in London and coastal trading towns, even though they were technically foreign. Their presence illustrates both the intensity of Anglo-Venetian trade and the shortage of small change in English currency.