Aragon (1466-70) 1/4 pacifico Fr-29
This specimen was lot 259 in Áureo y Calicó sale 345 (Barcelona, March 2020), where it sold for €1,200 (about US$1,584 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"Reiner d'Anjou (1466-1472). Barcelona. Quarterola de pacífic. Ex Áureo 20/04/2005, nº 215. Rara. MBC. (county of Barcelona, René of Anjou, 1466-72, undated quarter pacifico, Barcelona mint. Rare, very fine.)"
René of Anjou (1409-80) had a long and checkered career. With his power base being the small duchy of Bar, he lacked the finances to support most of his pretensions. According to Wikipedia, he was count of Piedmont, Duke of Bar (1430–80), Duke of Lorraine (1431–53), Duke of Anjou, Count of Provence (1434–80), briefly King of Naples (1435–42; titular 1442–80), titular King of Jerusalem (1438–80) and Aragon including Sicily, Majorca and Corsica (1466–70). This rare gold piece was issued during his attempt to seize the crown of Aragon. Wikipedia notes that René never actually went to Spain but sent his son instead, who gave up after three years after failing to obtain much support. A single and half pacifico also exist and are rare.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 0.87 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 0,77 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-29, Cru.V.S. 927.3, Cru.C.G. 3050 var, Cayón-1930.
- [1]Sisó, Teresa, Eduard Domingo and Lluís Lalana, Subasta Publica 345: Colección Manuela Etcheverría, Barcelona: Áureo y Calicó, 2020.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Cayón, Adolfo, Clemente Cayón and Juan Cayón, Las Monedas Españolas, del Tremis al Euro: del 411 a Nuestros Dias, vol. 1, Madrid: Cayón-Jano S.L., 2005.
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