Papal States (1522-45) 1/2 giulio Ber-788
This specimen was lot 554 in Jean Elsen sale 132 (Brussels, March 2017), where it sold for €150 (about US$190 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, ETATS PONTIFICAUX, AR mezzo giulio anonyme, 1513-1516 et 1522-1545, Piacenza. D/ Les clés sous la tiare. R/ Loup deb. à g., sous une étoile. Rare. Très Beau. (Italy, Pontifical State, anonymous silver half giulio struck for the duchy of Piacenza 1513-16 and 1522-45. Obverse: crossed keys below the tiara; reverse: wolf facing left below a star. Rare, very fine.)"
This anonymous issue is attributed by some sources to the reign of Hadrian VI (1522-23), which is where we have placed it as it has to go somewhere. It was struck for the duchy of Piacenza, then a papal fief.
Recorded mintage: unknown but scarce.
Specification: 1.97 g, .920 fine silver[2], this specimen 1,74 g.
Catalog reference: Munt. 1; CNI 12 (attributed to Hadrian VI). Berman 788.
- 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]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 132, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2017.
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