Guastalla 1610 10 doppie Fr-458
This specimen was lot 30364 in Heritage auction 3096 (Dallas, TX, March 2021), where it sold for $384,000. The catalog description[1] noted,
"10 Doppie Ultra Rarity of Guastalla. Ferrante II Gonzaga gold 10 Doppie 1610 MS61 NGC. Extremely rare, and very likely a unique opportunity, not just in this exalted Mint State condition, but at all. Every consulted reference calls this impressive golden offering of the early 17th century either "Rare" or "Extremely Rare." Monete Italiane Regionali's rating of "R5" corresponds to "of the greatest rarity" and a maximum of 4 examples known, while Bellesia, who assigns a similar rarity rating, states that only a single example was known in the Civiche Racolte Archeologiche e Numismatiche in Milan. It is arguable that even a cursory review of the piece's appearance should engender a sense of this elusiveness, with gold coinage in this imposing stature and weight being markedly challenging for the period in general, and even more so for this small duchy in particular.
The sheer luster of the specimen, coupled with a medallic precision of detail, elevates the eye appeal to a level that easily feels leagues beyond the preservation normally implied by the grade assigned. Glistening aurous brilliance emits with stark clarity across the fields, cascading over nearly undisturbed surfaces, studded with the finest die polish lines. Every central detail is sharp and clear, with Ferrante's portrait, presented in Roman dress, projecting boldly toward the beholder. The reverse scene of the biblical Annunciation is yet more striking in its visual impact and reveals an expression of both emotion and clarity that easily invites prolonged admiration, bolstered by the glittering qualities of the open areas surrounding, which are bathed in warm light and toned to a fetching deep sunset golden color. Rarely does such a high caliber of eye appeal intersect so perfectly with sublime rarity, and we can only imagine the fervent level of interest that this magnificent and imposing relic will generate. A once-in-a-lifetime chance.
Ferrante (I) Gonzaga led a brilliant military career and eventually purchased the small fiefdom of Guastalla in 1539. The town, established on the banks of the Po river in close proximity to Mantua, was located on the crossroads of numerous trade routes, bestowing it with a clear geographical importance to regional commerce. Charles V eventually granted Ferrante the right to mint coins, though this would only come to fruition under his successors, including his grandson, Ferrante II, under whom the County of Guastalla was elevated to a duchy. In his newly granted position as Duke, Ferrante II played an important role in the War of the Mantuan Succession, fighting on the Imperial side. He would eventually lose the duchy to his distant cousin, Charles III, the Duke of Nevers, and he died of plague in 1630. All gold coinage of his rule is considered very or extremely rare. From the Paramount Collection."
The county of Guastalla, raised to a duchy in 1621, was ruled by the Gonzagas 1539-1748 and thereupon merged with the duchy of Parma. Issues for this locality are sparse and rare. This is the only issue of this denomination and was struck using ducatone dies.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: gold, this specimen 66.35 g.
Catalog reference: KM 13 (Rare), Fr-458 (Very Rare; this coin), CNI-IXa.17 (not illustrated), MIR-353 (R5), Bellesia-8 (R5).
- 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.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano and Warren Tucker, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3096, featuring the Paramount Collection of World & Ancient Coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2021.
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