Barcelona (1396-1410) croat
This specimen was lot 52602 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Pittsburgh, PA, August 2023), where it sold for $576. The catalog description[1] noted, "SPAIN. Catalonia. Croat, ND (1396-1410). Barcelona Mint. Martin I. NGC MS-64. Obverse: Crowned bust of Martin I left; Reverse: Long cross dividing legend, annulet in 2nd and 3rd angles, bezants in 1st and 4th. An enticing piece from a period of medieval Spanish coinage that achieved an impressive level of quality in relation to contemporary European hammered issues, both in terms of design and consistency of production, displaying characteristics quite ahead of their time: ornate lettering, semi-realistic side-facing portraits, consistently full detail, centered strikes, and neat symmetrical formatting. A wonderful near-Gem example, this engaging specimen is tied for the finest yet certified by NGC, and maintains a crisp strike and soft brilliance beneath the deep toning. A sublime piece that would be difficult to match in terms of beauty and appeal." The second specimen was lot 528 in Jean Elsen sale 164 (Brussels, March 2026), where it sold for €240 (about US$334 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"ESPAGNE, CATALOGNE ET ARAGON, Martin Ier (1396-1410), AR croat, Barcelone. D/ +:MARTINVS: DEI: GRA: REX: B. cour. à g. R/ CIVI-TAS B-ARCK-NONA Longue croix pattée, cantonnée de deux annelets et de deux groupes de trois globules. Rare. Griffes. Légère faiblesse de frappe. Très Beau. (Martin I, 1396-1410, silver croat, Barcelona mint. Obverse: cronwed bust left; reverse: long cross pattée cantonned with two annulets and two groups of three pellets. Rare, scratches, slightly weakly struck, Very Fine.)"
The reverse reads, "CIVITAS BACKNONA". Other issues for this ruler include a half croat (Cayón-1883), a coronado (Cayón-1881) and double coronato (Cayón-1880) and florin (Cayón-1877, -1878) and half florin (Cayón-1879). None are common. Martin I, count of Barcelona, was also king of Aragon, Valencia, Sardinia and Corsica and king of Sicily from 1409 (as Martin II). He failed to secure the accession of his illegitimate grandson, Frederic, Count of Luna, and with him the rule of the House of Barcelona came to an end.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, the second specimen 3,20 g.
Catalog reference: the first specimen Cru-509, Cayón-1882. The second specimen is Crusafont 511; Badia 370.
- Cayón, Adolfo, Clemente Cayón and Juan Cayón, Las Monedas Españolas, del Tremis al Euro: del 411 a Nuestros Dias, 2 volumes, Madrid: Cayón-Jano S.L., 2005.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, August 2023 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
- [2]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 164: Monnaies du duché de Brabant et du royaume de Belgique, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2026.
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