Milan (1476-81) teston
This specimen was lot 1211 in Sincona sale 76 (Zürich, May 2022), where it sold for 11,000 CHF (about US$13,352 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALY | Milan. Gian Galeazzo Maria Sforza, 1476-1494. Reggenza della madre Bona di Savoia, 1476-1481. Testone o. J. Milano. Verschleierte Büste der Herzogin nach rechts. Rv. Phönix mit ausgebreiteten Flügeln auf Scheiterhaufen. Sehr selten. Fast vorzüglich. NGC AU50. Feine Patina. (Italy, duchy of Milan, Gian Galeazzo Maria Sforza, 1476-94, regency of his mother Bona of Savoy, 1476-81, undated testone, Milan mint. Obverse: veiled bust of the duchess right; reverse: a phoenix arises from the flames. Very rare, About extremely fine, Nicely toned.)"
This specimen was sold again as lot 521 in Künker sale 400 (Berlin, February 2024), where it sold for €13,000 (about US$16,865 including buyer's fees). The teston, a half dollar size coin, was the first large coin issued as Italy emerged from the Middle Ages and the increased volume of trade demanded larger coins. Soon after, the German thaler, struck on a press, would supersede the teston.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 9.59 g.
Catalog reference: MIR 218/1 (RRR). Crippa 2/A.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 76, The Annemarie and Gerd Köhlmoos Collection, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2022.
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