Mantua 1664 1/4 ducatone
This specimen was lot 42423 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2024), where it sold for $1,200. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY. Mantua. 1/4 Ducatone, 1664. Mantua Mint. Carlo II Gonzaga. PCGS EF-45. A fairly RARE issue, this delightful specimen features St. George on horseback, driving a spear through the open mouth of a dragon below. Evenly handled, with a solid and well centered strike, and some delightful amber-gray toning throughout. From the Richard Margolis Collection." This rare type is listed for 1664 only. It had a face value of forty soldi. Upon the death of Ferdinando Carlo, last independent Duke of Mantua (r. 1665-1707), the duchy was annexed by the Austrians and ruled as part of the duchy of Milan.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, 31-32 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-198.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- [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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