Sequin (coin)

The sequin or zechin (/ˈsiːkwɪn/; Venetian and Italian: zecchino [dzekˈkiːno]) is a gold coin minted by the Republic of Venice from the 13th century onwards.

The design of the Venetian gold ducat, or zecchino, remained unchanged for over 500 years, from its introduction in 1284 to the takeover of Venice by Napoleon in 1797.

The name of the mint ultimately derives from Arabic: سكّة (sikka), meaning a coin mould or die.

In some regions, in later centuries, this type of coin was stitched to women's clothing such as headdresses – this eventually led to the origin of the more modern word "sequins" to denote small shiny, circular decorations.

After two hundred years of continuous zecchino production, the Byzantine Empire imitated with the basilikon.