Papal States (1605) quattrino KM-21
This specimen was lot 1349 in Künker sale 403 (Osnabrück, March 2024), where it sold for €70 (about US$92 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"PAPST PAUL V., 1605-1621. Die Münzstätte Rom. Ku.-Quattrino A I (1605), Rom. R Sehr schön. (Papal States, Paul VI, 1605-21, copper quattrino of the year 1, Rome mint. Rare, very fine.)"
The reverse legend reads, "S·PAVLVS·AL/MA ROMA·A·I". This type is also known dated year II. The SCWC mentions another quattrino for the year I where St. Paul is not holding a sword (KM 22). In the eighteenth century, the popes made a serious effort to provide small change for their subjects (quattrini, mezzi baiocchi, baiocchi, etc.) but before that, these low value coins were issued only intermittently. In addition, they were poorly made and harshly treated, leaving few survivors in collectible condition.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: copper, this specimen 3,44 g.
Catalog reference: Berman 1584; Muntoni 152; Toffanin 1566/1 (R), KM 21.
- Berman, Allen G., Papal Coins, South Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1991.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Francesco Muntoni, Le Monete del Papi e Degli Stati Pontifici, 4 vols. Rome: P & P Santamaria, 1973.
- [1]Künker, Fritz Rudolf, Horst-Rudiger Künker, Ulrich Künker and Andreas Kaiser, Katalog 403: Coins and Medals of the Popes - The significant collection of a southwest German entrepreneur, Osnabrück: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co., AG, 2024.
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