Castro (1545-47) baiochetto

Sincona sale 80, lot 2644

This specimen was lot 2644 in Sincona sale 80 (Zürich, October 2022), where it sold for 50 CHF (about US$60 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted, "ITALY | Castro, Pier Luigi Farnese, 1545-1547. Baiochetto o. J. Very fine. Minor edge flaw." Castro was an independent commune in the Papal States on the shores of Lake Bolsena. Pier Luigi Farnese, son of pope Paul III, seized power there in 1537 and made it into a duchy. He was also made duke of Parma and Piacenza by the pope. His descendants ruled the town until it was destroyed in a war with a later pope, Urban VIII. It was never rebuilt.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: Silver or billon. This specimen is 0.24 g.

Catalog reference: CNI XIV, 250, 41.

Source:

• ^[1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 80, World Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, World Banknotes, Coins and Medals from Switzerland, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2022.

Link to:

• Castro (1545-47) grosso Pier Luigi Farnese
• (1546-47) grosso, Paul III
• Coins and currency dated 1545