Papal States 1855-R 2-1/2 scudi
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. This type struck for Pius IX 1848 and 1853-63 carried on the standard of Gregory XVI. This specimen was lot 23189 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Philadelphia, August 2018), where it sold for $408. The catalog description[1] noted, "ITALY. Papal States. 2 1/2 Scudo, 1855-R, Year X. NGC MS-62. Sharply struck and lightly toned with fewer contact marks than are typical at the MS-62 grade." This specimen realized less than half the catalog value.
Recorded mintage: 59,000 (years IX and X).
Specification: 4.33 g, 0.900 fine gold.
Catalog reference: KM 1117, Fr-273, Ber-3306.
- 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]Ponterio, Richard, Kyle Ponterio and Chris Chatigny, The August 2018 Philadelphia ANA Auction: World Coins and Selections from the El Dorado Collection of Colombian Coins, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2018.
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