Silver osella depicting the Bucintoro, year 1727.

The osella was a special commemorative coin, issued every year by the Republic of Venezia (called the Serenissima) and celebrating the most important event of the year. The osella was a personal present of the doge - the chief of the Republic - gifted to the venetian senators. Originally this present was made of five lagoon birds, replaced by the 1521 with a special coin for the corresponding value of the five birds. In venetian dialect infact the meaning of the word osella is right bird! :D

The osella of the year 1727 celebrate the launching of the Bucintoro, a parade's state ship. It was completely gilded and ornated with sculptures. After the fall of the Serenissima, Napoleon scrapped all the gold, removed the sculptures and destined the rough hull advanced of that once was a wonder as a floating prison...

Below there is a drawing (source British Museum) of the same Bucintoro in the Bacino di S. Marco (one of the most important place of the venetian lagoon) by Antonio da Canal, named "Canaletto".

Give a look please to the pictures of this beautiful Bucintoro model at Museo Navale di Venezia
http://www.campiello-venise.com/musee_naval_venise/musee_naval_venise_4.htm