Milan (1512-15) grosso
This specimen was lot 34897 in Heritage sale 3094 (Chicago, August 2021), where it sold for $1,800. The catalog description[1] noted, "Italy: Milan. Massimiliano Sforza Grosso ND (1512-1515) AU53 NGC. A remarkably rare issue from the short-lived Duke of Milan, with our research revealing approximately just two others coming to auction in the last decade. Whereas both of those specimen show rather heavy circulation, though, the present coin keeps rub to a comparative minimum, virtually all of the script on the scroll legible, all as a soft luster illuminates the surfaces." The French invasion of 1499 touched off a multisided war that ended in the 1550's with the Hapsburgs dominating Italy. Milan and Naples were Habsburg possessions 1556-1699. Wikipedia comments, "Maximilian Sforza (Italian: Massimiliano Sforza, 25 January 1493 – 4 June 1530) was a Duke of Milan from the Sforza family, the son of Ludovico Sforza. He ruled 1512–1515, between the occupations of Louis XII of France (1500–1512), and Francis I of France in 1515. After the French victory at the Battle of Marignano, Maximilian was imprisoned by the returning French troops."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 2.35 g.
Catalog reference: MIR-254 (RR), Gnecchi-3 (R4), Crippa-2 (R2).
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, ANA WFOM World & Ancient Coins Platinum Night Signature Auction #3094, featuring the Cape Coral Collection, the WTR Collection and the Monaco Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2021.
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