Naples and Sicily 1826 120 grana Dav-171
This specimen was lot 682 in Sincona sale 69 (Zürich, May 2021), where it sold for 225 CHF (about US$299 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALY | Naples / Sicily, Francesco I. 1825-1830. 120 Grana 1826, Napoli. Selten. Sehr schön. Kleiner Randfehler. (kingdom of the Two Sicilies, Francis I, 1825-30, 120 grana of 1826, Naples mint. Rare, Very fine, Minor edge flaw.)"
This type, struck 1825-28, is the only piastra of this ruler, described in Davenport[2] as "An unbridled libertine, he instituted a reign distinguished as one of the most corrupt in modern times. He died, ungrieved, in 1830." The Kingdom of the Two Sicilies was annexed to Italy in 1860 but remains poor, backward and corrupt.
Recorded mintage: unknown but a better date.
Specification: 27.53 g, 0.833 fine silver, 37 mm diameter, this specimen 27.46 g.
Catalog reference: Dav-171, KM C137, Mont. 644. Pagani 111.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Fabrizi, Davide, Monete Italiane Regionale: Napoli, Pavia: Edizioni Numismatica Varesi, 2010.
- Gigante, Fabio, Gigante 2016: Catalogo Nazionale delle Monete Italiano Dal '700 All'Euro, 24a ed. Varese, Italy, 2015.
- Montenegro, Eupremio, Montenegro 2015: Manuale del Collezionista di Monete Italiane, 30 ed., Torino, Italy: Montenegro s.a.s., 2014.
- [2]Davenport, John S., European Crowns and Talers, Since 1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- [1]Jürg Richter, Auction 69, World Coins and Medals, Bullion Auction and Chinese Banknotes, Part 1, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2021.
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