Papal States (1534-49) 1/2 lira

Stack's Bowers 2015 NYINC sale, lot 4000

This specimen was lot 4000 in Stack's-Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2015), where it sold for $411.25. The catalog description^[1] noted, "ITALY. Papal States. Bologna. Bianco, (1534-49). NGC VF-35. Bust of Pope Paul III (b. Alessandro Farnese); Reverse: Lion rampant. Lovely iridescent toning around the rims that mildly blends into an even grey at the center. A very attractive and well detailed coin with some remaining luster." The SCWC does not state the equivalent value of a mezza lira in terms of the giulio or the piastra; based on the weight, we presume this coin was worth half a testone. Berman^[2] notes, "AR Bianco (= half lira). Abr. R.: BONONIA METER STVDIORVM, lion rampant l. with banner, shield 80 sometimes l. CNI 22-23, S. 251-60, M. 98-103. The bianco of Bologna at this time was also known as a paolo."

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: silver, about 5.17 g.

Catalog reference: Berman-927.

Source:

^[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]Ponterio, Richard, The January 2015 NYINC Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, Featuring the John W. Adams and Ray Czabor Collections, Irvine, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2014.

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Papal States (1534-49) 1/2 lira

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