Mantua (1497-1519) ducat Fr-520
This specimen was lot 1009 in CNG sale Triton XXVII (New York, January 2024), where it sold for $9,493.75. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY, Mantova (Marquisate). Francesco II Gonzaga. 1484–1519. AV Ducato. Dies by Gian Marco Cavalli. Second period, 1497-1519. Cuirassed bust left / Crucible in flames. In NGC encapsulation 6864464-012, graded AU 58. Top Pop. A very rare ducat. From the J. Eric Engstrom Collection. Ex Dr. Lawrence A. Adams Collection (Part III, Triton XIX, 6 January 2016), lot 2507; Stack’s (8 December 1988), lot 3245; Stack’s (4 March 1988), lot 1257.
An epigram by Battista Spagnoli probably refers to this coin: AD MARCUM CABALLUM NOBILEM FICTOREM [On Behalf of the Noble Sculptor, Marco Cavallo] Ipse nex est fictus, vivit Franciscus in auro: [Francisco is not a sculpture in gold, he himself lives:] Quod si fictum, opus (est), Marce Caballe, tuum hoc. [But if (he were) a sculpture, this is your work, Marco Cavallo]."
The Gonzaga family managed to hold onto some autonomy as dukes of Mantua until its extinction in 1707, when the duchy fell to the Austrians.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.49 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 23 mm diameter, 3.41 g, 2 h axis.
Catalog reference: MIR 409; MEC 12, –; Adams III 2507 (this coin); Friedberg 520 (this coin illustrated).
- 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]Gasvoda, Michael, Victor England, Eric McFadden, Dave Michaels, Bill Dalzell and Lance Hickman, Triton XXVII, Lancaster, PA: Classical Numismatic Group, LLC, 2023.
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