Retegno 1676 10 ducats Fr-985a
This specimen was lot 30463 in Heritage auction 3096 (Dallas, TX, March 2021), where it sold for $156,000. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Unique 10 Zecchini of Antonio Teodoro of Retegno, Struck from Filippo Dies. Switzerland: Graubünden - Misox (Mesocco). Antonio Teodoro Trivulzio gold 10 Ducat (10 Zecchini) 1676 AU58 NGC. Struck from Filippo Stretto dies (cf. KM 14, Dav-4137). An absolute masterpiece of Baroque engraving and certainly one of the most fantastic issues from Antonio Teodoro's short reign, all emissions of which are considered rare. One of only two dates that the Baron struck coins before his death and the extinction of the Trivulzio family line in 1678. By all indications this year is unique, representing an off-metal strike from Filippo dies rather than the special dies employed for striking the 1677, of which we are aware of at least 5 examples (Künker Auction 244 [February 2014, Lot 468] = Fr-986; Stack's International Sale, March 1988, Lot 1338 = KM 19; Leu Numismatik 84, October 2002, Lot 1547, also ex. Brand [lot 218] = Bellesia-1; CNI-IVb.50 [Plate XLII, 19] = MIR-893; Bachofen Collection, Part IV, Leo Hamburger January 1921, Lot 2146 = Gnecchi Collection, L. & L. Hamburger January 1903, Lot 4229).
Portraying a shield containing a three-faced being instead of the family arms, the fact that this coin has been executed with such clarity and precision speaks to the quality both of the dies which were used to produce it and the care in preparing a comparatively sound and "regular" planchet for what could only have been a special-purpose piece. While some mild unevenness in the flan is indeed present, the attention to detail is simply stunning, die polish filling the margins alongside a full engraver's guide as luster abounds across the surfaces. Absolutely an ideal target for Italian, Swiss, and European gold collectors in general, graced with an impeccable provenance that clearly indicates that it is likely to disappear from the market for untold years to come after the hammer falls.
Cardinal Teodoro Trivulzio, a member of one of the oldest and most respected families in northern Italy, was granted the town of Retegno by Emperor Ferdinand III, along with the right to mint, in 1564. Antagonists of the famous Sforza line of Milan, the Trivulzios had held extensive tracts of land in Europe since the 11th century, including fiefs in Melzo, Vigevano, Borgomanero, and Cologno. The last of his family line, Antonio Teodoro reigned briefly from 1676 until 1678, when he was succeeded by his maternal cousin Antonio Teodoro Gaetano, who was obliged to take the name Gallio after his recognition by the Emperor. Ex. Leu Numismatik Auction 84 (October 2002, Lot 1530); Hans Wunderly Collection (Leo Hamburger Raritäten-Cabinet VII, April 1914, Lot 355); Hugo Freiherrn von Donop Collection (Leo Liepmannssohn June 1896, Lot 2160). From the Paramount Collection."
Coinage from this locale, a commune in the duchy of Milan, is scanty and rare. A filippo, double filippo and triple filippo were also issued in 1676.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 35 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 34.51 g.
Catalog reference: KM-Unl. (cf. KM 19 for issue of 1677 [under Retegno]), Fr-985a (Very Rare; this coin [under Retegno]), CNI IVb-Unl., MIR-Unl., Bellesia-Unl., Gnecchi Collection-Unl., HMZ-Unl., Hirzel-Unl., Wunderly-3252 (R; this coin).
- 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.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano and Warren Tucker, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3096, featuring the Paramount Collection of World & Ancient Coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2021.
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