Thescudo (pl.scudi) was the name for a number ofcoins used in various states in theItalian peninsula from 1551 until the 19th century. The name, like that of theFrench écu and theSpanish andPortuguese escudo, was derived from theLatinscutum ("shield"). From the 16th century,^[1] the name was used in Italy for largesilver coins. Sizes varied depending on the issuing country.

The firstscudo d'argento (silver shield) was issued in 1551 byCharles V (1519–1556) inMilan.^[1]

UnderMaria Theresa andJoseph II thescudo d'argento had a weight of 23.10 g and a fineness of 896/1000.^[2]

In theKingdom of Lombardy–Venetia (under the control of theHabsburgAustrian Empire), theLombardy–Venetia scudo was equivalent to theConventionsthaler and was subdivided into sixlire.

Before theNapoleonic Wars, the lira was subdivided into 20soldi, each of 12denari. Later, the lira was made up of 100centesimi.

WhenAustria-Hungarydecimalized in 1857, the scudo was replaced by theflorin at a rate of 2 florin = 1 scudo. Coins of1⁄2 and 1 soldo were issued, equal to1⁄2 and 1kreuzer respectively, for use in Lombardy and Venetia.

In thePapal States, thePapal States scudo was the currency until 1866. It was divided into 100baiocchi (sing.baiocco), each of 5quattrini. It was replaced by thelira, equal to theItalian lira.

TheDuchy of Modena and Reggio also issued scudi, worth four lire or one third of atallero.

InMalta under the Order of St John, theMaltese scudo circulated from the 16th century until the Order wasexpelled in 1798. The currency remained the official currency of Malta until 1825 and the last coins were removed from circulation in 1886. TheSovereign Military Order of Malta has issued coins denominated in scudi since 1961.^[3][4]

• History of coins in Italy

• Konrad Klütz.Münznamen und ihre Herkunft. Vienna, moneytrend Verlag, 2004.ISBN 3-9501620-3-8
• Eupremio Montenegro.Manuale del collezionista di monete italiane. XI ed. 1996, Torino.