Papal States (1252-58) grosso
This specimen was lot 1253 in Künker sale 403 (Osnabrück, March 2024), where it sold for €1,600 (about US$2,099 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"RÖMISCHER SENAT, 1184-1439. Grosso o. J. (1252-1255 und 1257/1258), Rom. Prägung des Senators Brancaleona d’Andalò. + BRAnCALEO • S • P • Q • R Löwe schreitet l.//+ ROMA CAPVT mVNDI Roma thront v. v. mit Globus und Palmzweig. RR Hübsche Patina, vorzüglich. (Papal States, senatorial issue, 1184-1439, undated grosso, circa 1252-55 or 1257-58, Rome mint, struck by senator Brancaleona d’Andalò. Obverse: lion rmpant left; reverse: Roma enthroned facing, with orb and palm branch. Very rare, handsome patina, extremely fine.)"
The incumbent pope, Alexander IV (1254-61), was mostly concerned with organizing crusades and establishing the Inquisition and did not strike coinage. Brancaleona d’Andalò was prefect of Rome, not pope.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 3,45 g.
Catalog reference: Berman 96; Muntoni 2; Toffanin 112/1 (RR).
- Berman, Allen G., Papal Coins, South Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1991.
- Francesco Muntoni, Le Monete del Papi e Degli Stati Pontifici, 4 vols. Rome: P & P Santamaria, 1973.
- [1]Künker, Fritz Rudolf, Horst-Rudiger Künker, Ulrich Künker and Andreas Kaiser, Katalog 403: Coins and Medals of the Popes - The significant collection of a southwest German entrepreneur, Osnabrück: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co., AG, 2024.
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