Lucca 1749 doppia Fr-489
This specimen was lot 1658 in SINCONA Auction 97 (Zürich, May 2025), where it sold for 3,125 CHF (about US$4,533 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIEN Lucca, Republik, 1369-1799. Doppia 1749, Lucca. Sehr selten in dieser Erhaltung. Vorzüglich-FDC. Prachtexemplar mit feinem Prägeglanz. (Italy, republic of Lucca, 1369-1799, doppia of 1749, Lucca mint. Very rare in this condition, About Uncirculated, Cabinet piece with nice mint luster.)"
The SCWC lists this as a double ducat but it is actually a double scudo d'oro, a lighter coin. The SCWC also reports a half doppia of 1750 (KM 56) and a double doppia (KM 55) of 1748. Numista describes the figure on the reverse as St. Vultus, a saint who does not exist. The legend "SANCTVS VULTVS" is best translated as "Holy Face [of Jesus]".
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specifications: 5.55 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 5.54 g.
Catalog reference: KM 57.1, MIR 240/1, Fr-489.
- 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.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 97: World and Swiss Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2025.
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