Sequin (coin) who was prominently depicted on it, it was called the ', after the Zecca (mint) of Venice, since 1543 when Venice began minting a silver coin also called a ducat. The name of the mint ultimately derives from ("), meaning a coin mould or die. In some regions, in later centuries, this type of coins were 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. Following the Venetian model, similar coins were used for centuries throughout the Mediterranean. After two hundred years of
Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato e delle Finanze") as sole shareholder. Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato The Italian Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (IPZS) ('State Mint and Polygraphic Institute'), founded in 1928, is situated at the Piazza Giuseppe Verdi in Rome. As well as producing coins, passports, and postage stamps for Italy, it serves the micro-states of the Vatican City, San Marino, and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. It also publishes books under the imprint "Libreria dello Stato". Banknotes are produced by Bank of Italy. In 2002, IPZS became a public limited company ("società per azioni" or SpA) with the Italian Ministry