Papal States 1853-R scudo d'oro Fr-275
This specimen was lot 1392 in Jean Elsen sale 121 (Brussels, June 2014), where it sold for €120 (about US$192 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALIE, ETATS PONTIFICAUX, Pie IX (1846-1878), (Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti), AV scudo d'oro, 1853, an 8, Rome. Petit module. Superbe. (Italy, Papal States, Pius IX (1846-78), gold scudo of 1853, Rome mint, small diameter, extremely fine.)"
This type is listed for 1853-57 from Rome and Bologna and was struck simultaneously with a silver scudo. 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 scudi. 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: 209,000.
Specification: gold.
Catalog reference: Munt., 7; Berman-3307; Fr-275, KM 1358.
- Berman, Allen G., Papal Coins, South Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1991.
- 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.
- 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]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 121, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2014.
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