Loano 1669 luigino KM-27
This specimen was lot 1962 in Jean Elsen sale 164 (Brussels, March 2026), where it sold for €1,100 (about US$1,532 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, LOANO, Violante Doria Lomellini, régente pour Giovanni Andrea III Doria (1654-1671), AR luigino, 1669. D/ B. à d. R/ * TRES AQVILAE BONIT VNC QVATVOR Écu couronné à trois aiglons, séparant la date. Très rare. Fines griffes. presque Très Beau. (Italy, commune of Loano, Violetta Doria Lomellini, regent for John Andrew III Doria, 1654-71, silver luigino of 1669. Obverse: bust right; reverse: crowned arms with three eaglets divides the date. Very rare, hairlines, about Very Fine.)"
Loano is on the west coast of Genoa. Wikipedia comments, "In 1505, Loano became property of the Doria family, a noble genovese family, who would rule the territory for 232 years, until 1737." This denomination, an imitation of the French twelfth écu, was struck in this obscure locale 1665-66 in several varieties (see also KM 15, 16, KM 17, 18, 23). There was a brief fad for these in the Levant trade with Turkey and a number of Italian lords and towns struck them.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.80-2.45 g, silver, this specimen 1,71 g.
Catalog reference: KM 27, CNI III, 519, 26; Cammarano 183.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 164: Monnaies du duché de Brabant et du royaume de Belgique, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2026.
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