Papal States 1840-R baiocco
This type is listed for 1835-45 and was struck in Rome (shown here) and Bologna. It is among the common Papal copper coins of the nineteenth century; the SCWC does not award any date a premium. The early coinage of the Papal States used an antique monetary system. After 1830, five quattrini = one baiocco; 100 baiocchi = one scudo. The first coinage reform in the Papal States was implemented in the early 1830's during the reign of Gregory XVI (1831-46). All the doppie, zecchini, guili, testoni, etc., were dropped in favor of a silver scudo divided into one hundred baiocchi. Gold one, 2½, five and ten scudi were minted at Rome and Bologna until 1865. 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. The second specimen was lot 1682 in Künker sale 403 (Osnabrück, March 2024), where it sold for €120 (about US$158 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"PAPST GREGOR XVI., 1831-1846. Prägungen des Papstes Gregor XVI. Nach der Münzreform vom 10. Januar 1835. Die Münzstätten Rom und Bologna. Ku.-Baiocco A X/1840 R, Rom. Herrliche Kupferpatina, vorzüglich-Stempelglanz. (Papal States, Gregory XVI, 1831-46, copper baiocco of 1840, year 10, Rome mint. Superb copper patina, extremely fine to uncirculated.)"
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 10.17 g, copper, 30 mm diameter, the second specimen 9,63 g.
Catalog reference: Pagani 268; Toffanin 3110/12, KM 1320, Ber-3291.
- 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.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Francesco Muntoni, Le Monete del Papi e Degli Stati Pontifici, 4 vols. Rome: P & P Santamaria, 1973.
- [1]Künker, Fritz Rudolf, Horst-Rudiger Künker, Ulrich Künker and Andreas Kaiser, Katalog 403: Coins and Medals of the Popes - The significant collection of a southwest German entrepreneur, Osnabrück: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co., AG, 2024.
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