Papal States (1513-21) 2-1/2 ducats Fr-43
The first specimen was lot 3730 in Goldberg sale 70 (Los Angeles, September 2012), where it sold for $10,350. The catalog description[1] noted, "Italian States - Papal/Roman States. 2½ Ducats, ND. Leo X, 1513-1521. Bust of Pope left. Reverse: The three Magi on horseback. Very Rare. NGC graded Extremely Fine, Details (Repaired)." The second specimen was lot 30174 in Heritage sale 3029 (New York, January 2014), where it sold for $44,062.50. The catalog description[2] noted, "Amazing Papal Rarity Papal States. Pope Leone X gold 2.5 Ducati ND (1513-21), Rome mint, MS62 NGC. The earliest of the small group of Renaissance Papal gold coins and a seldom offered rarity. The obverse displays a bust of Pope Leone facing left, while the reverse shows the three Magi on horseback, riding left, guided by the comet. There are no significant flaws, and traces of luster remain. Leo X was the son of Lorenzo de Medici, head of the Florentine Republic. He was destined for an important ecclesiastical career from an early age, and formally admitted to the College of Cardinals at age 17, in 1492. He was elected Pope in 1513 after the death of Julius II. Pope Leo spent heavily and caused a financial crisis in the Vatican, but much of this money went to rebuild, and refurbish, Saint Peter's Basilica. His tenure was also marked by the beginning of the Reformation. Ex: 'Colonel' E.H.R. Green; Green Estate' Partnership of Eric P Newman/B.G. Johnson."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 8.75 g, gold.
Catalog reference: Fr-43; Berman-628; Montuni I, 1, CNI-1.
- 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]Ira and Larry Goldberg, Goldberg sale 70: The Pre-Long Beach Auction, Los Angeles, CA: Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, 2012.
- [2]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Stuart Levine and Bruce Lorich, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3029, featuring Selections from the Eric P. Newman Collection, Part III, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2013.
Link to:
- (1513-21) quattrino, Fabriano mint
- Perugia (1513-21) soldino Leo X?
- (1513-21) giulio, Leo X, Macerata mint
- (1513-21) giulio, Ravenna mint
- (1513-21) ducat, Bologna mint
- (1513-21) ducat, Bologna mint
- (1513-21) fiorino di camera, Leo X, SS. Peter and Andrew
- (1513-21) fiorino di camera, Leo X, St. Peter alone
- Papal States (1513-21) 2 fiorini di camera Fr-45
- Papal States 1625 scudo d'oro Fr-115
- Coins and currency dated 1513
- return to coins of the Papal States