Papal States 1688 testone KM-A495
This specimen was lot 34351 in Heritage sale 3082 (New York, January 2020), where it sold for $900. The catalog description[1] noted, "Italy: Papal States. Innocent XI Testone Anno XIII (1688) MS66 NGC, Rome mint. A hardly improvable piece for even the most discerning collector." This type was minted in 1688 for Innocent XI. Berman lists twelve different testone for this pope. The SCWC lists many similar testone, varying in the design of the cartouche on the reverse, but none for 1688. The testone was thirty baiocchi, while the piastra, the Italian equivalent of the German thaler, was 105 baiocchi (3½ testone). The reverse motto, "MELIVS EST DARE QVAM ACCIPERE," is the well known, "It is better to give than to receive."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 9.59 g, silver, 0.917 fine.
Catalog reference: KM A495 (this date unlisted), Ber-2102.
- 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]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Online Auction 3082, featuring the Caranett Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.
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