Papal States (1464-71) ducat Fr-16
This specimen was lot 31879 in Heritage sale 3076 (Long Beach, CA, September 2019), where it sold for $4,320. The catalog description[1] noted, "Italy. Papal States. Paul II gold Ducat ND (1464-1471) MS61 NGC, Rome mint. Familial arms surmounted by papal tiara and crossed keys / Jesus standing on right, handing keys to the Pope kneeling right. A very rare issue with the first clear use of foreshortening (note the square flooring on the reverse) to imply perspective. Well struck with a fine golden patina. From the Allen Moretti Swiss Collection." This pope issued ducats in several styles (Fr-14, -15a, -16, -18, -19 and -20). None are common.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.5 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 3.38 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-16, MIR-399/1, Munt-5, Ber-394.
- 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.
- 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.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano and Warren Tucker, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3076, featuring the Allen Moretti Swiss Collection and the James Mossman Collection of Canadian Coinage, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.
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