Mantua 1666 scudo Dav-3968
This specimen was lot 1188 in Sincona sale 63 (Zürich, June 2020), where it sold for 1,200 CHF (about US$1,504 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALY | Mantova, Ferdinando Carlo Gonzaga, unter Vormundschaft seiner Mutter Isabella Clara 1665-1669. Scudo 1666, Mantova. Sehr selten. Sehr schön. (duchy of Mantua, Ferdinand Charles of Gnozaga, under the regency of his mother Isabella Clara, 1665-69, scudo of 1666, Mantua mint, Very rare, Very fine.)"
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. At the time, 6 denari = 1 sesino, 2 sesini = 1 soldo, 20 soldi = 1 lira, 12 lire = 1 tallero or scudo. This type is scarce, like most Italian crowns of the period.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 19.50-22.08 g, 39 mm diameter, this specimen 22.04 g.
Catalog reference: KM 206, MIR 720. Dav-3968.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, Sincona sale 63: Gold and Silver Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2020.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1600-1700, Galesburg, IL, 1974.
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