Naples and Sicily 1629-MC 9 cavalli
This specimen was lot 75325 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, September 2023), where it sold for $192. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY. Naples & Sicily (Naples). 9 Cavalli, 1629-MC. Naples Mint. Filippo III (Philip IV of Spain). PCGS AU-50. Quite an attractive and well struck example from this crude issue. The flan is more round and consistent compared to most others and surfaces remain fully original without any traces of damage or cleaning. Overall quite a lucky survivor that only saw minimal circulation before being set aside for hundreds of years. Currently the only certified example of the type listed on the PCGS population report." This type was struck 1626-30 and ND. The SCWC notes that 120 grani = one piastra, where a piastra is roughly equal to a peso. Six cavalli made a tornesi and 240 tornese made a piastra, so nine cavalli = 1/160 piastra.
Recorded mintage: unknown but scarce.
Specification: 7.21 g, copper, 31 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-57.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Fabrizi, Davide, Monete Italiane Regionale: Napoli, Pavia: Edizioni Numismatica Varesi, 2010.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, September 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancient & World Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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