Genoa 1794 12 lire
This specimen was lot 30214 in Heritage sale 3037 (New York, January 2015), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted, "Genoa. Republic gold 12 Lire 1794 AU58 NGC. An extremely scarce and seldom offered type featuring a wonderfully stylistic depiction of Madonna and child atop somewhat mellowed, golden surfaces. The reverse is also of much interest, both in design and in appearance, and the overall nature of this specimen is very pleasing. Light wear, while noticeable, is constrained to the highpoints and the fields are remarkably fresh considering the age of this offering." The piece is accompanied by gold 24, 48 and 96 lire, all expensive. Genoa was occupied by Napoleon in 1798 and made into the puppet Ligurian Republic. Genoa never recovered its independence; in 1815 it was annexed by the kingdom of Sardinia and is now part of Italy.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.15 g, .909 fine gold, 20 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: Fr-447, KM 254, Mont-37.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Montenegro, Eupremio, Montenegro 2015: Manuale del Collezionista di Monete Italiane, 30 ed., Torino, Italy: Montenegro s.a.s., 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]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and Scott Cordry, Heritage Signature Auction 3037, featuring the Empire, the Santa Catarina, the Law and the Santa Maria Collections, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2014.
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