Naples 1575-GR 1/2 ducato
The first specimen was lot 1765 in Jean Elsen sale 149 (Brussels, December 2021), where it sold for €420 (about US$569 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, NAPLES, Philippe II (1554-1598), AR mezzo ducato, 1575. D/ B. radié et cuir. à d. Derrière, sigle GR. R/ Ecu couronné dans un cartouche orné en forme de coeur. Faiblesse de frappe. Très Beau. (Italy, kingdom of Naples, silver half ducat of 1575. Obverse: crowned and armored bust to right; reverse: crowned arms in heart-shaped cartouche. Weakly struck, Very Fine.)"
The second specimen was lot 74020 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, February 2023), where it sold for $360. The catalog description[2] noted, "ITALY. Naples & Sicily (Naples). 1/2 Ducato, 1575-GR. Naples Mint. Filippo II (Philip II of Spain). PCGS EF-45. Despite some cruder aspects, this specimen remains rather wholesome and charming, with only light wear across the high points and some deeper hints of toning accentuating the devices. The date is clear, located at the truncation of Philip's shoulder. From the David Sterling Collection." This type was struck for Philip II of Spain, he of the Spanish Armada. The Spanish ruled Naples until the death of the last Hapsburg in 1700. We have several other mezzi ducati on this site (see links below) but they are not dated. Dated examples are known for 1571-77 and 1596.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 14.95 g, silver, 34 mm diameter, the first specimen 14,96 g.
Catalog reference: KM MB139, P.& R. 19a; M.I.R. 174.
- Fabrizi, Davide, Monete Italiane Regionale: Napoli, Pavia: Edizioni Numismatica Varesi, 2010.
- Nicol, N. Douglas, Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of German Coins, 1501-Present, 3rd ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 149: Monnaies, Médailles et Décorations, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2021.
- [2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, February 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, featuring the David Sterling Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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