Ferrara (1576-81) scudo d'oro Fr-272
This specimen was lot 1847 in Jean Elsen sale 154 (Brussels, March 2023), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, FERRARE, Alphonse II d'Este (1559-1597), AV scudo d'oro del sole, s.d. (1576-1581). D/ Ecu couronné. R/ Croix ornée. Très Beau à Superbe. (Italy, duchy of Ferrara, Alfonso d'Este, 1559-97, undated gold scudo of the sunburst, struck circa 1576-81. Obverse: crowned arms; reverse: ornate cross. Very Fine - Extremely Fine.)"
Alfonso II d'Este (1533-97) died without heirs, whereupon the pope seized Ferrara and incorporated it into the Papal States. Alfonso's cousin, Cesare d'Este (1562-1628), succeeded to the imperial title of duke of Modena and ruled there until his death. His line ruled Modena until evicted by Napoleon in 1796. The only other gold coins of this ruler are a ducat (Fr-273) and half ducat (Fr-274) of 1596-97.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.25 g, 0.917 fine gold, this specimen 3,25 g.
Catalog reference: Bellesia 8/C; M.I.R. 305/3; Fr-272.
- 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]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 154, Trouvaille de Labuissière, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2023.
Link to: