Papal States (1752) grosso

Steve Album sale 51, lot 3186

This specimen was lot 3186 in Steve Album Auction 51 (Santa Rosa, CA, January 2025), where it sold for $204. The catalog description^[1] noted, "PAPAL STATES: Benedict XIV, 1740-1758, AR grosso, year XIV (1752), TOTA PVLCHRA ES around standing figure of the Madonna, an attractive lightly toned mint state example, PCGS graded MS62, ex Almer H. Orr III Collection. "Tota pulchra es" is a Catholic prayer written in the fourth century. The title means "You are completely beautiful" (referring to the Virgin Mary). It speaks of her Immaculate Conception." This type was struck 1751-55 and is common. The scudo was twenty grossi.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 1.34 g, 0.917 fine silver, 19 mm diameter, plain edge.

Catalog reference: Berman-2763, KM-969.

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.
• Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
• ^[1]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Norman Douglas Nicol, Auction 51, featuring the Howard Daniel III Collection of Asian Coins, the Almer H. Orr III Collection of World Coins and the Joe Sedillot Collection of German Coins, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2024.

Link to:

• 1750 grosso, Holy Year
• 1751 mezzo scudo d'oro
• 1752 zecchino
• 1753 mezzo scudo
• (1755) grosso, year XVI, TOTA PULCHRA ES
• Coins and currency dated 1752