Papal States (1689-90) testone KM-522

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Heritage sale 3040, lot 32899
Papal St H3040-32899r.jpg

This specimen was lot 32899 in Heritage sale 3040 (Chicago, April 2015), where it sold for $940. The catalog description[1] noted, "Papal States. Alexander VIII Testone ND (1689-90) MS63 NGC. Valued at 30 Baiocchi. St. Bruno is depicted kneeling in clouds, reverse Papal arms. Lovely toning with a sharp strike. One of the finest available today of this type." The testone was thirty baiocchi, while the piastra, the Italian equivalent of the German thaler, was 105 baiocchi (3½ testone). This specimen is undated; the SCWC only lists specimens dated 1689 and 1690 but the photo shown therein is of an undated specimen. We note six Roman Catholic saints named Bruno:

  • St. Bruno of Saxony (d. 880 AD) was never a bishop;
  • St. Bruno the Great (925-965 AD) was archbishop of Cologne but was not canonized until the 19th century;
  • St. Bruno of Querfurt (c. 974-1009 AD) was martyred while trying to convert the Prussians and quickly canonized;
  • St. Bruno of Cologne (c. 1030-1101) founded the Carthusians but was never bishop, repeatedly refusing that honor;
  • St. Bruno of Segni (c. 1045-1123) was bishop of Segni and is now patron saint of that town;
  • St. Bruno of Würzburg (c.1005-1045) was bishop of that town but was never formally canonized.

We think St. Bruno of Querfurt is the figure depicted here.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 9.16 g, silver, 0.917 fine.

Catalog reference: Ber-2178, KM-522.

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.
  • Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
  • [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage Signature Auction 3040, featuring the Santa Maria, the Alan Dean and the Valley View Life Collections, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2015.

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