Genoa (1396-1409) genovino Fr-401
This specimen was lot 99087 in Heritage sale 61253 (Dallas, January 2022), where it sold for $9,900. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Italy: Genoa. Charles VI of France (1380-1422) gold Genovino (Genois d'Or) ND (1396-1409) MS63 NGC. +K: RЄX: FRΛNCOR': D: IΛNVЄ: G, castle within polylobe, lis at apexes, rosettes in arches, stars in spandrels / +CONRΛDV': RЄX: ROMΛNOR': R, cross pattée within polylobe, lis at apexes, rosettes in arches, stars in spandrels. An exceptionally elusive type, particularly in Choice Mint State, from the period of French rule of Genoa, which lasted from 1396 until 1528. While some extremely minor die cracks can be seen around the castle, hardly any other evidence of die strain is present, the whole of the planchet abounding in a rich luster. Among the finest examples we have been able to locate coming to auction in recent decades."
The genovino would later be renamed the ducat after the Venetian gold coin of the same weight and purity. This type comes with an "M" after "IANVE:" or a "G", as here.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 0.986 fine gold, 3.5 g, this specimen 3.52 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-401, Dupl-421, Ciani-567, CNI-IIIa.16 var. (legends), MIR-53/1 (R3).
- Duplessy, Jean, Les Monnaies Françaises Royales de Hugues Capet à Louis XVI (987-1793), Tome I, 2e édition, Paris: Maison Platt, 1999.
- 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]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, The Brittany Collection of French Coins Showcase Auction #61253, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2021.
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