Papal States (1698) 1/2 piastra KM-607
This specimen was lot 2000 in Jean Elsen sale 163 (Brussels, November 2025), where it sold for €360 (about US$416 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, ÉTATS PONTIFICAUX, Innocent XII (1691-1700), (Antonio Pignatelli), AR demi-piastre, 1697, an 7, Rome (Saint-Urbain). Commémorant la Paix de Rijswick. D/ B. à d., vêtu de la chape. R/ FACTVS EST IN PACE LOCVS EIVS L'arche de Noé voguant sur les flots. Rare. Léger défaut de flan sur la tranche. Belle patine. (Italy, Papal States, Innocent XII, 1691-1700, silver half piastra of 1697, year 7, Rome mint, commemorating the peace of Rijswick. Obverse: bust right in papal robe; reverse: Noah's ark lands as the floodwaters drain away. Rare, minor edge defect, nice patina, Very Fine - Extremely Fine.)"
Wikipedia notes, "The Peace of Ryswick, or Rijswijk, were a series of treaties signed in the Dutch city of Rijswijk between 20 September and 30 October 1697. They ended the 1688 to 1697 Nine Years' War between France and the Grand Alliance." Regnal year VII, shown here, corresponds to 1698, not 1697. The reverse legend, "FACTVS EST IN PACE LOCVS EIVS", translates as, ""His place has been made in peace." The mezza piastra was 52½ baiocchi, while the piastra, the Italian equivalent of the German thaler, was 105 baiocchi (3½ testone). The denomination was last minted in 1742 and superseded by the mezzo scudo in 1753.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 16.03 g, 0.917 fine silver, this specimen is 16,02 g.
Catalog reference: KM 607, Munt. 28; Berman 2235.
- 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]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 163, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2025.
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