Papal States (1588) testone
This specimen was lot 4324 in Sincona sale 20 (Zürich, October 2014), where it sold for CHF 105 (about US$132 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted, "Testone AN IV (1588). Rom. Sehr schön-fast sehr schön. (testone of the year IV, very fine to good very fine.)" Silver testone are popular with collectors not only for their Catholic associations but also the extraordinarily vivid portraits of the various popes, including Sixtus V (1585-90) shown here. Berman records twenty different testone struck at Rome during this reign. The first papal piastri date from this period; a piastra was three and a half testone.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 9.95 g, .920 fine silver, this specimen 9.35 g.
Catalog reference: Berman 1325.
- 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]Richter, Jürg, Numismatic Coins & Medals: Auction 20, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2014.
Link to:
- Ancona 1582 testone
- Papal States (1582) testone
- (1585) testone, NVNQVAM DEFICIET
- (1585-90) doppia, Bologna mint
- (1585-90) testone, HINC FIDES ET FORTITVDO, Sixtus V, Bologna mint
- 1586 scudo d'oro, Ancona mint
- (1587-89) testone, Roma standing, PVBLICE QVIETIS PARENS
- 1588 scudo d'argento, Ancona mint, Sixtus V
- Papal States 1588 piastra Dav-8329
- (1592-1605) testone, Clement VIII
- Coins and currency dated 1588
- return to coins of the Papal States