Naples and Sicily 1685-AGA tari
This specimen was lot 1766 in Jean Elsen sale 149 (Brussels, December 2021), where it sold for €140 (about US$190 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, NAPLES, Charles II (1665-1700), AR tari (2 carlini), 1685. D/ Ecu couronné. R/ Corne d'abondance et hache de licteur posées sur un globe, sous une couronne. Petit coup sur la tranche. Superbe. (Italy, kingdom of Naples, Charles II, 1665-1700, silver tari or two carlini of 1685. Obverse: crowned arms; reverse: cornucopia and fasces over a globe, under a crown. Edge nick, extremely Fine.)"
The SCWC notes that 12 carlini = six tari = one piastra, where a piastra is roughly equal to a peso. This type was struck 1682-87. The tari in Sicily was half the weight. Charles II, the last Hapsburg king of Spain, was also king of Naples and Sicily. After his death the area passed out of the hands of the Spanish crown, only to be reconquered by them in the 1730's.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 5.60-5.64 g, silver, 27 mm diameter, this specimen 5,69 g.
Catalog reference: KM 104, P. & R. 12.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 149: Monnaies, Médailles et Décorations, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2021.
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