Ferrara (1536) scudo d'oro Fr-270
This specimen was lot 994 in CNG sale Triton XXVII (New York, January 2024), where it sold for $857.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY, Ferrara (Duchy). Ercole II d'Este. 1534-1559. AV Scudo d’oro del Sole. First emission, 1536. Crowned coat-of-arms; rayed sun above / The cross at Calvary; at base, Mary Magdalene kneeling left. Toned. In NGC encapsulation 6864464-015, graded AU 55. From the J. Eric Engstrom Collection. Ex Spink 220 (1 October 2013), lot 220." Friedberg notes that this type also comes dated 1534. The only other gold coin of this reign is a ten scudi dated 1546 (Fr-271). Ercolo II managed to writhe between the conflicting armies of France, the Empire, Venice and the pope and deliver his duchy intact to his son, Alfonso II.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.25 g, 0.917 fine gold, this specimen 24 mm diameter, 3.19 g, 5 h axis.
Catalog reference: Belessia 3/B; MIR 288; Friedberg 270.
- 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.
- [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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