Papal States (1513-21) ducat Fr-338
The Bologna mint began issuing gold for the popes during the reign of Urban VI (1378-89) and continued until Pius VI (1774-99). The lion on the obverse is a pun on the pope's name, Leo X. The second specimen was lot 627 in Sincona sale 46 (Zürich, May 2018), where it sold for 1,000 CHF (about US$1,200 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIEN, Vatikan - Kirchenstaat, Leo X (Johannes von Medici), 1513-1521. Ducato o. J. Bologna. Selten. Sehr schön. Leicht berieben. (Papal States, Leo X (John of Medici), 1513-21, undated ducat, Bologna mint. Rare, Very fine, Slightly polished.)"
On the second specimen, note the arms of the Medici on the left and the city arms right.
Recorded mintage: unknown but rare.
Specification: 3.5 g, 0.986 fine gold; the second specimen is 3.41 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-338, Ber-688, the second specimen is Ber-685.
- 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]Richter, Jürg, Auction 46, Gold Coins and Medals, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2018.
Link to:
- (1503-13) ducat
- (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
- (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
- (1513-21) 2½ ducats
- Papal States (1523-34) scudo d'oro Fr-342
- Papal States (1523-34) 2 fiorini di camera Fr-59
- Coins and currency dated 1513
- return to coins of the Papal States