Papal States 1696 testone KM-594
This specimen was lot 2710 in Goldberg sale 109 (Los Angeles, January 2019), where it sold for $840. The catalog description[1] noted, "Italian States: Papal/Roman States. Testone, 1696. Anno VI. Innocent XII. Sharply struck with light gray toning. NGC graded MS-63." Berman lists ten different testone for this pope. Many varieties also come without date; none are rare. The testone was thirty baiocchi, while the piastra, the Italian equivalent of the German thaler, was 105 baiocchi (3½ testone). The reverse motto, "ROGATE·EA/QVAE·AD·PACEM/SVNT", means "They requested peace". Another testone of 1696 (KM 596) uses this design but with a straight inscription on the reverse.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 9.59 g, silver, 0.917 fine.
Catalog reference: Berman-2250, KM-594.
- 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.
- [1]Goldberg, Ira, Larry Goldberg, John Lavender, Yifu Che, Jason Villareal and Stephen Harvey, Goldberg Sale 109: the Pre-Long Beach Auction, Los Angeles: Goldberg Coins and Collectibles, 2019.
- Francesco Muntoni, Le Monete del Papi e Degli Stati Pontifici, 4 vols. Rome: P & P Santamaria, 1973.
Link to:
- 1693 testone, "QVI MISERETVR BEATVS ERIT", Innocent XII
- 1695 testone, pope listening to sermon
- 1696 giulio
- 1696 testone, ROGATE EA QVE AD PACEM SVNT, straight inscription
- 1696 piastra, pope and consistory
- 1696 piastra, pope enthroned
- 1697 giulio, ELEVAT PAVPEREM
- 1697 mezza piastra, Innocent XII
- (1697) doppia
- 1699 testone, "PRAEOCCVPEMVS/FACIEM EIVS"
- Coins and currency dated 1696
- return to coins of the Papal States