Papal States (1559-65) bianco

From CoinVarieties
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Jean Elsen sale 123, lot 1226
Papal States JE 123-1226r.jpg
Jean Elsen sale 149, lot 1726

The first specimen was lot 1226 in Jean Elsen sale 123 (Brussels, December 2014), where it sold for €160 (about US$233 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,

"ITALIE, ETATS PONTIFICAUX, Pie IV (1559-1565), (Giovannangelo de' Medici), AR bianco (mezza lira), s.d. Bologne. Droit: B. à droite, vêtu de la chape. Revers: BONONIA MATER STVDIORVM Lion rampant à gauche, tenant une bannière. Petite tache de vert-de-gris. Très Beau à Superbe. (Papal States, Pius IV (1559-65), silver bianco or half lira, without date, Bologna mint. Obverse: caped bust right; reverse: lion rampant to left, bearing a banner. Small stain of verdigris, very fine to extremely fine.)"

The second specimen was lot 1726 in Jean Elsen sale 149 (Brussels, December 2021), where it sold for €200 (about US$271 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[3] noted,

"ITALIE, ETATS PONTIFICAUX, Pie IV (1559-1565), (Giovannangelo de' Medici), AR bianco (mezza lira), s.d., Bologne. D/ B. à d., vêtu de la chape. R/ BONONIA MATER STVDIORVM Lion rampant à g., ten. une bannière. Fine griffe. Très Beau. (Italy, Papal States, Pius IV, 1559-65, undated silver bianco or half lira, Bologna mint. Obverse: bust right, dressed in a robe; reverse: lion rampant left, holding a banner. Fine scratch, Very Fine.)"

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 MATER STVDIORVM, lion rampant l. with banner, CNI 15, S. 238-41, M. 70."

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 5.17 g, 0.917 fine silver, the first specimen 4,63 g, the second specimen 4,82 g.

Catalog reference: Munt., 70; Berman-1076.

Source:

  • [2]Berman, Allen G., Papal Coins, South Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1991.
  • [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 123, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2014.
  • [3]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 149: Monnaies, Médailles et Décorations, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2021.
  • Francesco Muntoni, Le Monete del Papi e Degli Stati Pontifici, 4 vols. Rome: P & P Santamaria, 1973.

Link to:

Retrieved from "https://coinvarieties.com/index.php?title=Papal_States_(1559-65)_bianco&oldid=510033"