Milan (1378-85) pegione
This specimen was lot 657 in Sincona sale 89 (Zürich, May 2024), where it sold for 850 CHF (about US$1,123 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIEN Mailand, Barnabò Visconti, 1378-1385. Pegione o. J., Milano. Fast vorzüglich. Exemplar der Auktion Leu 68, Zürich, Oktober 1996, Los 314. (Italy, Milan, Barnabò Visconti, 1378-1385, undated pegione, Milan mint. About extremely fine.)"
Wikipedia comments, "Bernabò or Barnabò Visconti (1323 – 19 December 1385) was an Italian soldier and statesman who was Lord of Milan. Along with his brothers Matteo and Galeazzo II, he inherited the lordship of Milan from his uncle Giovanni. Later in 1355, he and Galeazzo II were rumoured to have murdered their brother Matteo since he endangered the regime. When Galeazzo II died, he shared Milan's lordship with his nephew Gian Galeazzo. Bernabò was a ruthless despot toward his subjects and did not hesitate to face emperors and popes, including Pope Urban V. On 6 May 1385, his nephew Gian Galeazzo deposed him. ...he died a few months later, presumably from poisoning." The Visconti dominated Milan until the death of Filippo Maria in 1447. They were made dukes of Milan by the emperor in 1395. The pegione was issued in large numbers by Milan and was roughly equal to the Venetian silver grosso.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 2.44 g.
Catalog reference: MIR 111/1, Biaggi 1464.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 89, The Garrulus Collection of Numismatic Rarities and Masterpieces, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2024.
Link to:
- Pavia (1359-78) pegione, Galeazzo II Visconti
- Milan (1385-1402) pegione, Gian Galeazzo Visconti
- Coins and currency dated 1378