Ferrara (1576-80) diamante
This specimen was lot 72677 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, May 2023), where it sold for $264. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY. Ferrara. Diamante, ND (1559-97). Alfonso II d'Este. PCGS EF-45. A hammered issue not often encountered, this evenly handled specimen presents a gunmetal gray nature to the tone and a standing figure of St. Maurelio." Numista notes that the diamante was struck by duke Alfonso II during 1576-80. It was worth 3 soldi or 3/20 of a lira. St. Maurilius is depicted on the obverse. The reverse legend, "DEXTERA · DNI · EXALTAVIT · ME ·" means, "The right hand of the Lord has exalted me" (Psalms 118:16). A diamond ring is shown surrounding the rose, hence the name of the coin. Wikipedia comments,
"Maurelius of Voghenza (Italian - San Maurelio; died 7 May 644) was a Syrian priest, who became bishop of Voghenza. He is venerated as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church. In 1106 Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor had a vision of the saint and translated his relics to the church of San Giorgio in Ferrara. This led to a more intense veneration of the saint and in 1463 he was made Ferrara's patron saint."
Alfonso II d'Este (1533-97) died without heirs, whereupon the pope seized Ferrara and incorporated it into the Papal States.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 2 g, silver, 23 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: MIR-319/6.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, May 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, Featuring the Richard Elliott Collection of Hooknecks, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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