Genoa 1600-IV 5 doppie Fr-416
This specimen was lot 41130 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2019), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"A Massive Italian Rarity. ITALY. Genoa. 5 Doppie, 1600. Biennial Doges (1528-1797). PCGS AU-50 Gold Shield. Obverse: Castle gate flanked by 6-pointed stars, date 1600 below, all in dotted circle, "DVX * ET * GVB * REIP * GEN"; Reverse: Large flat-end cross with 6-pointed stars in the angles, legend: "CONRADVS * II * RO * REX* I * V *".
This massive gold piece is heavier than the two examples of the denomination that are listed in Corpus Nummorum Italicorum, Vol. III, Liguria, Isole de Corsica, indicating that no identical specimen was in the definitive Royal Collection of King Vittorio Emanuele III when the volume was published in 1912. Displaying the traditional Castle Gate-Conradus Rex design, this spectacular issue remains in marvelous condition, with bright luster in the fields and minimal marks that catch the eye. Impressively struck considering its size as well, with only one small area of softness near DVX in the obverse legend (and the corresponding area on the reverse) and two understandable small flan cracks, the first appearing in the area of softness and the second one, even less noticeable than the first, appearing in the B of GVB. All considered, a truly awesome RARITY and a beautiful relic of the period which would have represented amazing amount of wealth at its time of issue."
This five doppie was equal to ten ducats. Four, 2½, two, one, half and quarter doppie also exist, all rare. The SCWC doesn't list any other dates but its plate coin is a 1616-IZ.
Recorded mintage: unknown but rare.
Specification: 35 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 33.22 grams.
Catalog reference: KM 16, Fr-416, CNI 2, Pl XII:7; MIR-199 (R4).
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- 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]Ponterio, Richard, Kyle Ponterio, Matt Orsini and Cris Chatigny, The January 2019 NYINC Sale: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2018.
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