Ferrara (1474) grossone
This specimen was lot 987 in CNG sale Triton XXVII (New York, January 2024), where it sold for $857.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY, Ferrara (Duchy). Ercole I d'Este. 1471-1505. AR Grossone. Second emission, 1474. Armored bust left, wearing small ruff / St. George on horseback right, spearing dragon to lower right. Toned, a few light marks. Good VF. From the J. Eric Engstrom Collection. Ex Spink Numismatic Circular LXXXIII.7-8 (July/August 1975), no. 7072." The duke was a famous patron of the early Renaissance; among his employees were Josquin des Prez and Ludovico Ariosto. His son married the notorious Lucrezia Borgia. The grossone was two grossi or four soldi.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.69 g, silver, this specimen 25 mm diameter, 3.70 g, 2h axis.
Catalog reference: Belessia 7/C; MIR 257.
- [1]Gasvoda, Michael, Victor England, Eric McFadden, Dave Michaels, Bill Dalzell and Lance Hickman, Triton XXVII, Lancaster, PA: Classical Numismatic Group, LLC, 2023.
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