Massa di Lunigiana 1588 2 doppie Fr-592
This specimen was lot 30168 in Heritage sale 3029 (New York, January 2014), where it sold for $13,512.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "A Rare Public Offering Massa Di Lunigiana. Alberico I Cybo Malaspina Gold 2 Doppia 1588, AU55 NGC. Obv. Bust right with ruff collar. Rev. Crowned arms. Superbly struck, with fully round flan. The surfaces are free of detracting flaws and display a touch of luster beneath orange-golden patina. An extremely rare issue with no recent auction records. Marquis Alberico I opened the mint at Lunigiana after inheriting the estate from his mother. The last coinage of Massa Di Lungiana, in the name of Maria Beatrice D'Este Cybo Malaspina, was actually produced in Milan. " Modena lies between Parma and Ferrara, and the town of Massa lies in the south of the duchy, near Carrara. A doppia was originally a double ducat but was frequently lighter.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: gold.
Catalog reference: Fr-592, Varesi 295/2 (R4), CNI 106/116.
- 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]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Stuart Levine and Bruce Lorich, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3029, featuring Selections from the Eric P. Newman Collection, Part III, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2013.
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