Mantua (1530-40) scudo d'oro Fr-528
This specimen was lot 1060 in CNG Triton XXIX (New York, January 2026), where it sold for $2,450. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY, Mantova (Duchy). Federico II Gonzaga. 1530-1540. AV Scudo del sole. Mantova mint. Crowned coat-of-arms / Christ rising from Sepulchre; Cross and instruments of the Passion in background. Edge marks. Near EF." Friedberg recognizes only one type for this ruler while the SCWC divides the issue into KM MB132 and MB133. KM MB132, shown here, has the obverse legend "FEDERICVS. II. MANTVAE. DVX. I.", while KM MB133 has the obverse legend "FED. DVX. MAN. ET. MAR. MONTIS. FE." Federico II Gonzaga is generally remembered today for his patronage of Titian and Raphael, both of whom painted his portrait before he died of syphilis, aged 40 years.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.39 g, gold, 26 mm diameter, this specimen 24 mm diameter, 2.96 g, 1 h axis.
Catalog reference: KM MB132, Bignotti 1; MIR 446; Friedberg 528.
- 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 XXIX, Lancaster, PA: Classical Numismatic Group, LLC, 2025.
Link to: