Papal States (1550-55) bianco Ber-1018

Stack's Bowers 2023 ANA sale, lot 56808

This specimen was lot 56808 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Pittsburgh, PA, August 2023), where it sold for $120. The catalog description^[1] noted, "ITALY. Papal States. Bianco, ND (1550-55). Bologna Mint. Julius III. PCGS VF-35." The reverse legend states, "BONONIA MATER STUDIORVM" (Bologna, mother of study), referring to its famous university. This coin was rather larger than the giulio, a coin this pontiff introduced. It was worth half a lira.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 5.17 g, 0.917 fine silver, 30 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: Berman-1018.

Source:

• 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]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, August 2023 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.

Link to:

• (1534-49) mezza lira
• Ferrara (1542) bianco
• (1550-55)-AC grosso, "PROVIDENTIA"
• (1550-55) giulio, Julius III
• (1550-55) giulio, Ancona mint
• (1550-55) scudo d'oro
• Reggio 1553 bianco
• (1555-59) bianco, Paul IV, Bologna mint
• Coins and currency dated 1550