Genoa (1507-12) scudo d'oro Fr-405
This specimen was lot 99095 in Heritage sale 61253 (Dallas, January 2022), where it sold for $1,440. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Italy: Genoa. Louis XII of France (1498-1514) gold Ecu d'Or au soleil (Scudo d'Oro del Sole) ND (1507-1512) AU Details (Scratches) NGC. +: LVD (pellet below D): DEI: GRACIA: FRANCOR REX: Z: IANVE: D:, crowned royal arms of France / +: XPS: VINCIT (pellet below V): XPS: REGNAT: XPS: IMPERAT: A: C:, cross fleurdelisée with quadrilobe at center. A fairly rare issue produced following Louis' ousting of the Sforzas from Milan and his subsequent establishment of himself as doge of Genoa. Perhaps minorly die clashed toward the center of the obverse shield, this piece appears wholly attractive even given the noted scratches, a fact bolstered by an even honey-gold patina over the surfaces."
This type, struck while the French army occupied Genoa, varied from the regular écu d'Or au soleil by the "IANVE: D:" in the obverse legend. His successor, Francis I, occupied Genoa 1515-28 but was kicked out after his defeat and capture at the hands of Charles V. After that, Genoa fell into the Spanish sphere of influence.
Recorded mintage: unknown but scarce.
Specification: 3.49 g, 0.936 fine gold; this specimen 3.32 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-405, Dupl-750, MIR-153 (R2).
- 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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