Naples and Sicily 1851 30 ducati Fr-866
This specimen was lot 20379 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (Newport Beach, CA, January 2021), where it sold for $28,800. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY. Naples & Sicily. 30 Ducati, 1851/0. Ferdinand II. NGC MS-63. SCARCE overdate. Beautifully executed dies display frosty features combining intricate design elements offering an expressive rendition of Ferdinand II. While the reverse motif exhibits what appears to be a finely engraved artistic version of the Archangel Michael advancing left towards a crowned alter. The bright open fields display signs of handling consistent for the grade with much reflectivity and brilliance adding to the allure of this highly sought after Italian Onza-sized gold coin. A pervasive pale golden tone with hints of orange throughout give this highly attractive survivor good eye appeal adding to its desirability." This type was issued 1844-54 for Ferdinand II. These large gold coins were issued intermittently until 1856 and all are rare. The Kingdom of the Two Sicilies was annexed to Italy in 1860 but remains poor, backward and corrupt.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 37.87 g, .996 fine gold, 1.212 troy oz AGW, 35.5 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: Fr-866; KM-368; Gig-12; Mont-685.
- 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.
- 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.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Richard Ponterio and Kyle Ponterio, The January 2021 NYINC Sale: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, featuring the Oro del Nuevo Mundo and Matt Orsini Collections, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2020.
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