Milan 1588 doppia Fr-716
This specimen was lot 645 in Stack's Coin Galleries sale (New York, December 2009), where it sold for $977.50. The catalog description noted, "ITALIAN STATES. MILANO. Filippo II di Spagna, 1556-1598. Doppia, 1588. Radiate crowned bust r.; HISPANIAROM REX. Rv. Quartered Arms, MEDIOL - ANI DVX. Nice Very Fine." Friedberg records this type as being struck 1578, 1582, 1586-89, 1593-95 for the duke of Milan, who was also Philip II 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. A doppia equaled two scudi d'oro, originally two ducats but later somewhat less.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 6.5 g, 0.917 fine gold, 26-29 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: Fr-716.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017
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