opening of the book begins with a dedication to Andrea Giovanelli, praising his contributions as a member of the Venetian nobility and a supporter of the sciences. Manin lays the foundation for discussing the historical significance of the Oselle, explaining that these medals serve as memorable tokens preserving the important events and customs of the Venetian Republic. He outlines the origin of these medals, their intended purpose, and the influential figures associated with their issuance, emphasizing their role in both commemorating and documenting Venice's illustrious past. The author also mentions past scholars who have engaged with similar topics, setting the stage for a detailed exploration of each Doge and their respective medals. (This is an automatically generated summary.)