Mantua 1702 80 soldi
This specimen was lot 975 in Jean Elsen list 269 (Brussels, July-August 2014), where it was offered for €350 (about US$476). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, MANTOUE, Ferdinand Charles Gonzague (1669-1707), AR 2 lire (80 soldi), 1702, Droit: B. drapé et cuirassé à droite. Revers: Trophée d'armes. Rare. presque Très Beau (duchy of Mantua, Ferdinand Charles Gonzague (1669-1707), silver two lire (eighty soldi) of 1702. Obverse: draped and armored bust to right; reverse: trophy of arms. Rare, about very fine.)"
This eighty soldi or four lire (not two lire) is one of a type struck 1701-06 for Ferdinando Carlo, last independent Duke of Mantua (r. 1665-1707). Upon his death, 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.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, 6.16-6.60 g; this specimen 6,29 g.
Catalog reference: CNI IV, 397, 42; Varesi, 736/2, KM 439.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Liste 269: Juillet-Septembre 2014, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2014.
Link to:
- 1678 scudo
- 1706 scudo
- Coins and currency dated 1702
- return to coins of the duchy of Mantua