Papal States 1746 testone
This specimen was lot 30983 in Heritage sale 3081 (New York, January 2020), where it sold for $1,260. The catalog description[1] noted, "Italy: Papal States. Benedict XIV Testone Anno VI (1746) MS62 NGC, Rome mint. A notoriously rare one-year papal type, with reportedly mintage figures ranging between 700 and 1200 pieces. Almost never encountered at auction outside of Europe, with a perfect balance of gunmetal-plumb fields and golden toning highlights sure to appeal to even the most scrupulous collector." The testone was thirty baiocchi, while the piastra, the Italian equivalent of the German thaler, was 105 baiocchi. This type was struck year VI only and is scarce. It seems to be the only testone listed for this ruler.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 7.93 g, silver, 0.917 fine.
Catalog reference: KM 952, Ber-2742.
- Berman, Allen G., Papal Coins, South Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1991.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3081, featuring the Caranett Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.
Link to: