Papal States (1525) 2 giulio
This specimen was lot 1047 in CNG sale Triton XXVII (New York, January 2024), where it sold for $6,737.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY, Papal (Papal state). Clement VII. 1523-1534. AR Doppio giulio, Rome mint. Dies by Valerio Belli. Struck circa 1525. Coat-of-arms surmounted by crossed keys and Papal tiara / Confronted nimbate and draped busts of Sts. Peter and Paul. Toned, a few light marks on obverse. EF. Detailed portraits of the Apostles. From the J. Eric Engstrom Collection. Ex Münzen und Medaillen AG FPL 154 (February 1956), no. 138.
Valerio Belli, also called Vicentino, was a very skilled medalist and supremely talented engraver of intaglios. A friend of Raphael, who painted his portrait in 1517, Belli was patronised extensively by Clement VII and Paul III, cutting dies for some 150 coins and medals. His most famous work is the spectacular rock crystal casket presented by Clement VII to Francis I of France on the marriage of Clement’s niece Catherine de Medici to the Dauphin, later Henry II."
The doppio giulio was one fifth of a scudo. It was infrequently struck before the mid-eighteenth century, the testone being more popular.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 7.90 g, 0.920 fine silver, this specimen 31 mm diameter, 7.65 g, 10 h axis.
Catalog reference: MIR 788/1; Muntoni 39, Berman 840.
- [2]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]Gasvoda, Michael, Victor England, Eric McFadden, Dave Michaels, Bill Dalzell and Lance Hickman, Triton XXVII, Lancaster, PA: Classical Numismatic Group, LLC, 2023.
Link to: