Mirandola (1499-1502) doppia Fr-744
This specimen was lot 3376 in Goldberg sale 85 (Los Angeles, June 2015), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Italian States: Mirandola. Doppia, ND. Gianfrancesco Pico, 1499-1533. Plain bust right. Legend - (Eagle). I. F. PICVS MI - RAND. D. C. C. Reverse: St. Francis kneeling. Legend -. MIRACVLVM. (flower). AMORIS. Extremely Rare. Probably the Finest Known. NGC graded AU-55.
The city of Mirandola was an independent principality in Modena. During the renaissance period it came into the possession of the Pico family, and developed as a fortress city. Instead of political ambitions, the Pico family preferred knowledge and philosophy. Gian Francesco Pico (1470-1533) was the nephew of the famous Giovanni Pico della Mirandola. Like his uncle, he devoted himself to philosophy, and in his 63-year life, he ruled as Lord of Mirandola for only a short period (1499 to 1502, then shortly in 1511). He was able to witness Louis XII's invasion and the Italian wars. The city stood on the French side and was besieged by the Papal troops from 1510 to 1511, but for the majority of the time it stayed in peace. In 1515, the city gained the minting rights, and several types of trade coinage were struck bearing his head, including this present piece.
All gold coinage of Mirandola [is] very rare. Only a few examples have entered the market in many years. This exceptional specimen in such high grade is definitely the finest we have been able to trace."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: gold.
Catalog reference: Fr-744; CNI-pl.IX,15.
- 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]Goldberg, Ira, Larry Goldberg, Aleeza Brown, Yifu Che, Jason Villareal and Stephen Harvey, Goldberg Sale 85: the Pre-Long Beach Auction, Los Angeles: Goldberg Coins and Collectibles, 2015.
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