Milan (1481-92) grosso
This specimen was lot 72683 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, May 2023), where it sold for $336. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY. Milan. Grosso, ND (1481-92). Milan Mint. Giovanni Galeazzo Sforza, with Ludovico Maria Sforza as regent. PCGS EF-45. Biaggi-1570. Obverse: Crowned helmet left with dragon crest; Reverse: Facing mitered bust of St. Ambrose. Featuring an amber-deep gray tone, this lightly handled specimen retains solid detail upon each side." The grosso was five soldi or one quarter lira. The legends may be translated as follows: "LVDOVICO PATRVO GUBNANTE" = "Louis, uncle, as regent"; "IO GL M SF VICECO DVX MLI SX" = "Gian Galeazzo Maria Sforza Visconti, 10th Duke of Milan". The auctioneers catalogued this as Biaggi-1570 but that number applies to the testone of the same reign. Gian Galeazzo died in suspicious circumstances in 1494 and was succeeded by his uncle Ludovico il Moro.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 2.86 g, silver, 24 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: MIR 223.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, May 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, Featuring the Richard Elliott Collection of Hooknecks, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
Link to:
- Milan (1466-76) grosso da 8 soldi, for Galeazzo Maria Sforza
- Milan (1481-94) teston Gian Galeazzo Sforza
- Milan (1500-13) grosso Louis XII of France
- Coins and currency dated 1481