Milan 1594 doppia Fr-716
This specimen was lot 24570 in Heritage sale 3030 (New York, January 2014), where it sold for $1,057.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "Milan. Philip II gold Doppia 1594, AU50 NGC, nicely toned with very little wear and a bold date, a scarce type struck during the Spanish occupation. From the collection of Donald E. Bently, sold for the benefit of the Bently Foundation." Friedberg records this type as being struck 1578-98 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. It was a double scudo d'oro, slightly lighter than a double ducat.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 6.5 g, 0.917 fine gold, 26-29 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM MB178, 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.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3030, featuring the RLM Collection, the Isaac Rudman Collection, the Hans Cook Collection and the Collection of Donald E. Bently, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2013.
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