Papal States 1836-B 2-1/2 scudi
This specimen was lot 34573 in Heritage sale 3067 (Long Beach, September 2018), where it sold for $576. The catalog description[1] noted, "Italy: Papal States. Gregory XVI gold 2-1/2 Scudi Anno VI (1836)-B AU58 NGC, Bologna mint. Virtually uncirculated, save for some light signs of handling scattered throughout the fields. Highly attractive and worthy of a premium bid." This type is listed for 1835-46 and was struck in Rome and Bologna (shown here). The early coinage of the Papal States used an antique monetary system. Five quattrini = one baiocco; 5 baiocchi = 1 grosso; 6 grossi = 4 carlini = 3 paoli = 1 testone; 10 testone = 1 doppia; 100 baiocchi = 1 scudo. In 1866, the currency was reformed to use centesimi and lire in order to match that of the surrounding kingdom of Italy. In 1870, the Papal States were occupied and annexed by the kingdom of Italy and coinage ceased until 1929.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 4.33 g, 0.900 fine gold, 19 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 1106, Ber-3284, Mont-59.
- Berman, Allen G., Papal Coins, South Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1991.
- Gigante, Fabio, Gigante 2016: Catalogo Nazionale delle Monete Italiano Dal '700 All'Euro, 24a ed. Varese, Italy, 2015.
- Montenegro, Eupremio, Montenegro 2015: Manuale del Collezionista di Monete Italiane, 30 ed., Torino, Italy: Montenegro s.a.s., 2014.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, 2018 September 6-11 Long Beach Expo World Coins & Ancient Coins Signature Auction #3067, Dallas: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2018.
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