Leon (1188-1230) maravedi
This specimen was lot 42641 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2024), where it sold for $36,000. The catalog description[1] noted, "Exceptionally Rare Morabetino Issue in Choice Mint State Quality, SPAIN. Maravedi (Morabetino), ND (1188-1230). Likely Salamanca Mint. Alfonso IX. NGC MS-63. An interesting and well-made specimen with sharp details throughout, a bold strike, and beautiful soft luster. Most gold coins circulating during this time were of Islamic origin, as such the denomination here was derived from the main source of Islamic gold: the Almoravid (Arabic al-Murabitun) kingdom of North Africa. Struck in the appropriate fineness of approximately 0.800, similar to the two examples of Ferdinand II (the previous ruler) held by the American Numismatic Society (ANS), and from the same dies as the example sold by Aureo and Calico in Auction 407, lot 68 (that example broken in half and glued together). An EXTREME RARITY in just about any condition, but in Choice Mint State, nearly unattainable. We note that the record price for this type, for the ex-Huntington specimen, was a hammer price of 220,000 ChF by Numismatica Genevensis SA in 2018 (Auction 10, Lot 164)." Alfonso IX was a fairly successful ruler of Leon and Galicia. He founded the University of Salamanca, conquered Mérida and Badajoz from the Muslims and married two different first cousins, acts which earned an interdict from the pope. His son, Fernando, united Leon with Castile. This is the sole gold coin of this ruler.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 0.800 fine gold, this specimen 3.74 g.
Catalog reference: Cayón-1076, Fr-47; AB.-112.
- 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.
- Cayón, Adolfo, Clemente Cayón and Juan Cayón, Las Monedas Españolas, del Tremis al Euro: del 411 a Nuestros Dias, 2 volumes, Madrid: Cayón-Jano S.L., 2005.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, August 2024 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, featuring The Emilio M. Ortiz Collection, The Richard Margolis Collection and The Rutherford Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
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