Zaccaria, Antiquarian-numismatic institution or Introduction to the study of ancient medals

Francesco Antonio Zaccaria, Istituzione antiquario-numismatica o sia Introduzione allo studio delle antiche medaglie, at the expense of Venanzio Monaldini Libraro al Corso, in the printing house of Giovanni Zempel, in Rome 1772, pp. XXXII, 487 with a marvelous frontispiece in black and red, a large allegorical vignette in copperplate engraving by Alessio Giardoni, finely crafted woodcut headpieces, tailpieces and initials, 3 splendid copper-engraved folding plates with 30 figures of coins on the front and back and 1 recto only, 20 cm, beautiful contemporary half-parchment binding, three silk bookmarks, titles and decorations on the spine, boards in fine marbled paper, artistically sprayed edges.

First edition of this classic of numismatic literature, dedicated to the foundations of the discipline. The work offers a broad overview of Greek and Roman coins, accompanied by a detailed list of abbreviations. Of particular interest are also the last two chapters: "Of medals due to defective coinage" and "Of false medals and how they can be distinguished from the real ones".

Traces of use on the plates, slight foxing, otherwise a pleasant copy in good condition.