Papal States (1690) piastra Dav-4100
This specimen was lot 40639 in Ponterio sale 168 (Philadelphia, August 2012), where it sold for $2,530. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY. Papal States. Piastra, Year 1 (1690). PCGS AU-50 Secure Holder. Alexander VIII (1689-91). Commemorates papal aid to Venice during the war with the Turks. Pleasing silver gray with golden highlights." 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 issue is among the more available. This type was issued 1689-90. The piastra was the Italian equivalent of the German thaler.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 26.45 g, silver, 0.917 fine.
Catalog reference: Dav-4100; KM-528; Berm-2173; Mutoni III-13.
- 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]Ponterio, Richard, Ponterio sale 168: The Official ANA Auction, Irvine, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2012.
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