Papal States (1678) piastra Dav-4089
The first specimen was lot 4626 in Sincona sale 9 (Zürich, October 2012), where it sold for 1000 CHF (about US$1,265 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIEN Vaticano Innocenzo XI. 1676-1689. Piastra A III (1678/1679), Roma. Sehr schön. (Italy, Papal States, Innocent XI, 1676-89, piastra of year three (1678-79), Rome mint, very fine.)"
Coinage of the Papal States remains popular today for, besides the strong associations for Catholics, this period saw a string of commemorative issues featuring wonderfully vivid portraits of the various men who occupied the throne of St. Peter. This type was issued 1678 only and is one of the scarcer piastri of Innocent's reign. The piastra was the Italian equivalent of the German thaler.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 31.99 g, 0.917 fine silver.
Catalog reference: Ber-2093, Muntoni 43, Dav-4089, KM 403.
- 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.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1600-1700, Galesburg, IL, 1974.
- [1]Numismatic Coins, Medals, Banknotes & Books: Auction 9, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2012.
Link to:
- Retegno 1676 2 filippi Dav-4135
- Papal States (1677) piastra Dav-4088
- (1678) giulio, year III, GRESSVS·MEOS·DIRIGE·
- (1678) testone, NOLITE COR APPONERE in palm wreath
- (1678) quadrupla d'oro
- (1679) giulio, year IV, MODICVM IVSTO
- 1680 piastra
- Coins and currency dated 1678
- return to coins of the Papal States