Milan (1535-56) 8 soldi
The first specimen was lot 1759 in Jean Elsen sale 149 (Brussels, December 2021), where it sold for €180 (about US$244 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, MILAN, Charles Quint (1535-1556), AR 8 soldi, s.d. D/ Les colonnes d'Hercule sous une couronne. R/ Saint Ambroise deb. de f., ten. un fouet et une crosse. Sans ligne de terre. Rare. Très Beau. (Italy, duchy of Milan, Charles V, 1535-56, undated silver eight soldi. Obverse: the pillars of Hercules under a crown; reverse: St. Ambrose stands, facing, bearing a cross, without exergue. Rare, Very Fine.)"
The second specimen was lot 1236 in Aureo y Calicó sale 391 (Barcelona, June 2022), where it sold for €420 (about US$528 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"s/d. Carlos I. Milán. 1/4 testón. Preciosa pátina. Rara así. MBC+. (duchy of Milan, Charles I, quarter teston. Beautiful patina, rare thus, choice very fine.)"
The type shown here was struck at Milan for Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and king of Spain. The Spanish issues for Milan ended with the death of Charles II in 1700, when the duchy passed to Austria, which held it until the coming of Napoleon. The ducatone of Charles's reign (all very rare) was 100 soldi, making this coin 2/25 of a ducatone. Twenty soldi made a lira.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, the first specimen 2,72 g, the second specimen 2,84 g.
Catalog reference: the first specimen Crippa 16/B; M.I.R. 289/2; the second Vti. 16, MIR. 289/1..
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 149: Monnaies, Médailles et Décorations, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2021.
- [2]Sisó, Teresa, Eduard Domingo and Lluís Lalana, Subasta Numismática 391, Barcelona: Aureo y Calicó, 2022.
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