1710-1721 AD., Colonies of Venice in Greece, Ionian Islands, Gazzetta / 2 Soldi, Tsamalis B 908 var.

Italy, Venetian colonies, Ionian Islands (Corfu, Cefalonia and Zante), 1710-1721 AD.,
Æ Gazzetta (2 Soldi) (26-27 mm / 4,37 g),
Obv.: * S• MARC * VEN * / * II * , nimbate, winged lion of Saint Mark facing - Leone di san marco.
Rev.: CORFV / CEFAL / ZANT• , three lines inscription, rosettes above and below .
Tsamalis B 908 var. .
rare

By the late 18th century, the Ionian Islands had been under Venetian authority for centuries. With the Treaty of Leoben (18 April 1797), the French Republic gained the islands, a move finalised with the 1797 Treaty of Campo Formio, which formally abolished the Venetian state.

The word gazette today is often used as the name of a newspaper. Today’s gazette comes from a Venetian coin of the 17th century. The coin was a 2-soldi copper piece that was called a "gazzetta", a diminutive of the Latin word gaza, meaning treasure. Shortly after the gazzetta was first made for circulation, Venice commenced to publish an official newspaper dealing with public affairs. The paper sold to the citizens for one gazzetta, and before long the paper itself became known as the gazzetta. The name stuck and has become synonymous with publications ever since.