Massa di Lunigiana 1593 2 doppie Fr-596
This specimen was lot 31211 in Heritage sale 3037 (New York, January 2015), where it sold for $11,162.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "Massa da Lunigiana. Alberico I Cybo Malaspina gold 2 Doppie (Quadrupla) 1593 MS63 NGC. A stunning example of this rarity, sharply struck for the type on a mostly-round flan. The legends exhibit a touch of uneveness and minor doubling as is typical, but the central motifs display significant detail accentuated by vibrant luster. A minor mint in Tuscany, rather than Lombardy as indicated on the NGC insert, gold issues of Massa da Lunigiana are quite scarce in any grade, much less in this elite state of preservation. Interestingly, this mint did not exist prior to Alberico's rule as the city did not exist. It was built to his specifications following the land being granted him in fief from the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V. From The Alexander Collection." 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. This type is listed for 1590-98.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: gold, this specimen 13.1 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-596, CNI XI-137, MIR-296.
- 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, Warren Tucker and Scott Cordry, Heritage Signature Auction 3037, featuring the Empire, the Santa Catarina, the Law and the Santa Maria Collections, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2014.
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